RETICULE

The precursor of the modern day handbag, the reticule would have held a myriad of items. In 1820 an article in The Lady’s Magazine guessed at the contents of the average lady’s reticule. The list included packets of powders and rouge (early examples of portable cosmetics), a love letter, a treaty on the art of shoemaking, an outline of a new style of headdress, and a receipt for restoring eyes to their natural lustre.