E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Silk Purse.
You cannot make a silk purse of a sow’s car. “You cannot make a horn of a pig’s tail.” A sow’s ear may somewhat resemble a purse, and a curied pig’s tail may somewhat resemble a twisted horn, but a sow’s ear cannot be made into a silk purse, nor a pig’s tail into a cow’s horn.
