What's in the bag?

Produced as part of Bags: Inside Out at
Ran from 13 October 2021 to 16 January 2022 at

Usually hidden from view, the inside of a bag – and its contents – can offer an intriguing glimpse into its function and even tell us something about the wearer. Take a look at some of the bags in our collections and examine the objects that some of them conceal within the many compartments, pouches and pockets.


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Header image:

Horse chestnut bag and conker purse (open), by Emily Jo Gibbs, 1996, UK. Museum no. T.531:1, 2-1996. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London