Anyone thinking that an everyday object like a purse is not interesting and that the Museum of Bags and Purses is for women only, is manifestly wrong. Not many people know that purses and bags have an extraordinarily rich history. Over the many centuries of its existence bags and purses have developed in remarkable ways. The Ivo collection, the collection of the former Museum of Bags and Purses in Amsterdam tells you all about it.
The collection of more
than 5000 purses, pouches,
suitcases, bags & other
accessories is known as
The Ivo Collection
Over a period of forty years the founders Hendrikje and Heinz Ivo built the collection. Once begun as a personal fascination it resulted in an extensive collection and the former Museum of Bags and Purses. The Amsterdam Museum of Bags and Purses was an instant success, averaging a 12% increase in visitors per year. Before it finally closed, it is estimated that between 70,000 and 85,000 people frequented the museum each year.
There is no other collection or museum in the world that is this specialized and deals in such a comprehensive way with this theme. The Museum of Bags and Purses in Amsterdam was the only one in Europe and it was the largest in the world.
“The Museum of Bags and Purses, the Ivo Collection, shows art with a lower-case a, because it is accessible for rich and poor, educated and low educated. Furthermore, at least half of the world’s population and more should be interested in it. It is a premier collection on an international level that deserves a premier location. It would be very unfortunate if such a special and unique collection fell apart and disappeared.”
Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic the museum had to close its doors permanently in 2020, but the collection of more than 5000 purses, pouches, suitcases, bags and other accessories continues to exist as the Ivo Collection.
It is our aim and wish to keep the magnificent collection together and give it a new place somewhere in the world. For more information and questions please contact me.
Sigrid Ivo
Curator of the Ivo Collection
The former collection of the Museum of Bags and Purses in Amsterdam.
Mail sigrid@ivocollection.com
Phone 0031(0) 6 51922396