Purse.1840s

Purse blank, belonged to Valentina Petrovna Verigina
1840s
Russia

Linen thread, small seed beads, metal seed beads; crochet
12.0 x 10.2 cm

Inv. No. V-A-3545-t

Valentina Petrovna Verigina (1882-1974) was a Russian and Soviet drama actress, theater director, and teacher. In 1906, she joined V.E. Meyerhold's New Drama Company. Following successful performances, including a production of Ibsen's "Ghosts," Verigina was invited to join V.F. Komissarzhevskaya's Drama Theater on Meyerhold's recommendation. There, she successfully performed in a number of Meyerhold's productions, including A.A. Blok's famous play "The Booth." It was during this period that she became closely acquainted with Blok's wife, Lyubov Dmitrievna Blok, a relationship that continued for many years, both in performances and in their personal lives.