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Purse hook

Hook to hang a purse or handbag on

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A purse hook (also known as a handbag hook or handbag hanger) is a type of hook meant to temporarily secure a purse or handbag to a table, sink or armrest. Such hooks have been available since the 1920s. Queen Elizabeth II was said to employ an oddly shaped one that looks like a soldier from World War II to hang her handbags on.

01Reasons for use

The practical uses are numerous; hanging a purse, bag, groceries, umbrella or any item that can be hung and needs to be kept close, for convenient access or to discourage theft.

A bag placed on the floor in a restaurant or bathroom will collect bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

In Brazil there is a superstition that a woman will lose all of her money if she puts her purse on the floor.

02Types

There are at least five types of purse hooks available. The order is based on patent file dates.

  • The original L style type with a circular pad and a rigid bent wire.
  • The link type with circular pad and a set links that either wrap around the pad or make a "hook"
  • A spring closing bracelet type
  • A twisting ring type
  • An S-shaped purse hanger

Gallery of purse hook types

Watch videos about Purse hookExplainers and documentaries on YouTube (opens in a new tab)

Sources and credits

This article is adapted from the Wikipedia article Purse hook, written by its contributors and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Fathomly has changed the layout, removed citation markers, navigation and maintenance notices, and adjusted punctuation. This adapted version is shared under the same license. For references, see the original article.

Images, from Wikimedia Commons:

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