QING DYNASTY, LATE 18TH/EARLY 19 CENTURY

Chinese robes were constructed without pockets, and small decorative receptacles suspended from garment belts were fashionable during the Qing period. The standard formal court belt, chaodai, had two round drawstring purses suspended from either side. It is likely that this format evolved from the nomadic practice of carrying pouches to store food, knives, flints and other necessities of an outdoor life. When the Manchus settled in China and chose a more leisurely life style, the pouches became smaller and were used to contain aromatic items or other objects such as watches, tobacco or snuff bottles. These pouches were also exchanged as gifts throughout the society.