Tassen Hendrikje Museum
(Bags and Purses Museum)

Herengracht 573, 1017 CD Amsterdam, Netherlands
(outskirts of Amsterdam, reachable by public transportation)
Tel: +31 20 524 6452
http://tassenmuseum.nl/en/
email: info@tassenmuseum.nl

This wonderful private museum is the product of a family who collected fabulous examples of purses from the late 16th century to the present. To showcase their collection of over 2500 objects, they converted 75% of their home into a state-of-the-art exhibition space which puts many big name museums to shame. Several important purses from the 16th and 17th century are on display, including a sweet bag with a phrase braided into the girdle strings - a technical feat! Embroidery from many time frames is on display and is a special love of the owners and their curator daughter (who is an expert in 16th century purses). A light tea is available by prior arraignment in their lovely courtyard, and is worth the time.