What began as Hendrikje Ivo's obsession with purses blossomed into the world's largest collection of handbags and purses with over 4,000 exhibits spanning 500 years. Located in a prestigious 17th-century home that once belonged to the then mayor of Amsterdam, the museum begins on the top floor where you can view satchels, boxes and letter cases from the 16th - 19th centuries made from every material imaginable including ivory, tortoiseshell, leather, lace, silk, straw and wood. 20th-century exhibits include funky Art Deco purses as well as bags made from exotic animals like ostriches, crocodiles and, yes, even armadillos. A large collection of famous designer bags is also on display including labels like Louis Vuitton, Pierre Cardin, Versace, Dior, Gucci, D&G and many others while contemporary exhibitions are on view on the ground floor. Naturally, no purse museum would be complete without a museum shop where you can buy bags and accessories to remember your visit. A café with gilded ceilings and a Dutch Golden Age interior is also available and the entire building is wheelchair accessible.