Since medieval clothing had no sewn-in pockets, carrying pouches on the belt was a genuine practical necessity rather than a mere fashion choice, and the kidney pouch became the dominant form across Western Europe from the 14th through the 16th century, documented in both period art and numerous archaeological finds. This reproduction follows the specific Dordrecht example, recovered in 1976 and published in Goubitz’s definitive study of surviving medieval purses, with two belt loops for the historically correct waist-worn carry.
14th–15th Century Kidney Belt Pouch, Dordrecht Type
The kidney pouch was the most common belt bag of the Late Middle Ages, its distinctive curved silhouette giving it its modern name. This reproduction is based on the well-documented Dordrecht find, published in Olaf Goubitz’s archaeological study “Purses in Pieces,” recovered from the ground at Torenstraat in Dordrecht, the Netherlands. Two leather belt loops secure it to the waist, following the historical practice of wearing this style exclusively on the belt rather than over the shoulder.
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