The Museum of Bags and Purses displays the history of the western handbag from the late Middle Ages right up to the present. The collection provides a fascinating picture of how the bag has changed over the centuries in terms of function, form, material and decoration.

The museum is located in a magnificent historical building on the Herengracht in Amsterdam dating from 1664, right behind Rembrandtplein. Two period rooms can be viewed here complete with ceiling paintings and mantlepieces from the 17th and 18th centuries.

The museum shop contains a wide range of bags from Dutch and overseas designers. You can also order these via our web shop.

Additionally, the shop has a broad variety of cards, books and gift articles. The book  Bags contains more than 500 superb colour photographs of bags and accessories taken from the Museum of Bags and Purses collection.

The atmospheric museum café is located behind the building and has a splendid view of the museum’s historical garden.

 Click here for directions to the museum.

The museum is open daily from 10.00-17.00. 

From 6 January to 28 February 2010, the Museum of Bags and Purses will be holding an exhibition of the nominations for the Hester van Eeghen Leather Design Prize. More information