The Cambodian Clutch Medium and Natural is currently sold out Large and Orange is currently sold out Large and Red Checks is currently sold out Large and Blue Checks is currently sold out Small and Orange Check is currently sold out Small and Purple Check is currently sold out Small and Red Check is currently sold out

One of the teenage girls at Riverkids, a young woman who manages to make an old t-shirt, jeans and a couple of barettes look utterly stylish, turned up with one of these tucked under her arm as a clutch. She kept her riel notes, the day’s homework and a comb in hers.

She noticed me admiring hers, and the next day presented me with a duplicate. I used it the whole trip for business cards, receipts and maps, and when I got home, tucked it away in a drawer to hold my favourite silk scarf.

Made in the countryside from strips of palm, these simple pouches are used for everything from spices and biscuits in little ones to sarongs and scarves for the biggest.

At a craft exhibition, I bought a whole assortment from a rural co-op. They can be wiped clean, although I wouldn’t immerse them in water. They are splendid for gift wrap because they are in themselves a gift.