A German Purse Mount, Nuremberg, Late 16th Century

Of iron, arched and hinged together, the front cut with double line ornament, stamped with maker's mark 'HK', an orb and cross between, the Nuremberg mark, and carrying three flower-head shaped catches each operating against an internal spring, the hinged internal compartment mount with sprung ring-shaped central catch, and the back mount incorporating two sprung catches and two suspension loops (some light pitting)
14.3 cm. wide

Cf. a similar purse mount in the Dr. John Waldman Collection and sold in these Rooms, 26 November 2008, lot 223