This small coin purse in white enamelled aluminium mesh is held in the Powerhouse collection in Sydney, together with a matching handbag. Both were made in Germany around 1971 for Oroton, and were given as a birthday present that year to Shirley Wheeler, who kept them for special occasions.
The purse is made of 'Alumesh', a registered trademark first used in the 1930s, printed on its packaging. Its mesh is the 'armour' type, built from four-armed links that join at the corners, with a raised dome at the centre of each link. This kind of mesh could be enamelled in many colours and patterns. The purse has a gold-tone and cream enamelled frame with a top clasp, and a tan fabric lining. The Powerhouse notes that Oroton's mesh accessories reflect Australian fashion in the 1960s and 1970s.