Antique Purse of the Week: Hey Sailor!

Above: Small clutch with strap, opaque cream and red glass beads striped with translucent dark gray glass beads, silver cording along front flap, cream colored grograin fabric on sides and interior, snap closure. Country of manufacture: Germany.

This sassy little number reminiscent of the 1940's was made in Germany, a major contributor to the glass bead phenomena that continues to gain momentum today.** I can picture her perfectly; a young woman with bright red lipstick, a short stylish coif, and perhaps a sailor outfit complete with white collar would be proud to carry a bag like this for an evening of dancing out on the town.

** I have some great pre-WWII German glass beads discovered in a warehouse cache many years later that get auctioned off in small quantities a year at a time. The bright opaque colors and flower shapes make sweet little earrings, but more on that another time!

Antique Purse of the Week: Silk Threads

Fibers, especially the delicate one's such as silk, take the harshest beating over time. Above is a sweet little green silk purse with stitched floral pattern and covered dark green cording. Opening this bag reveals a white silk lining with matching envelope style coin purse tethered to the interior. A green knotted silk cord serves as the handle and an interior metal frame gives structure to the top of the bag. Unfortunately this antique purse is showing its years with its tattered fabric and missing closure, but one can easily imagine what it once looked like. Sadly, in this case, preservation cannot reverse the aging process.

Antique Purses of the Week: A Lovely Pair?

Antique Purses: LEFT - Whiting and Davis, c. 1920's, brass mesh, strap, and frame with gem stone, RIGHT - unknown, brass mesh, strap, and frame

My first thought upon discovering these mesh wrist bags was that they make such a lovely pair. I knew exactly what to do with them as they are of the few that could withstand being hung on the wall, and what a compliment to each other they are! Both are small mesh purses worn on the wrist, they are topped with organic motifs on their decorative frames, have flat chain link straps with sliders, fine mesh bodies, and are finished with three ball weights each. It wasn't until opening them that I began to look at these bags in a different light... A lovely pair or a lovely knock-off? You decide!

Inscriptions: "Annette Brodic", "WHITING & DAVIS CO.", "SOLDERED MESH", "A", "1/21", "#4", "#5"

The bag on the left has several inscriptions on the interior of the frame, whereas the bag on the right has none. Regarding the left-hand bag, "Annette Brodic" was apparently the owner as her name is hand engraved by the clasp. Stamped by one hinge is the maker's name: "WHITING & DAVIS CO.", a popular purse manufacturer in the early 1900's, however because the name is stamped not engraved, it can be assumed that the bag was made in 1920 or later. Stamped by the other hinge is "SOLDERED MESH", which yes, ladies and gentleman, means that each link is soldered! Although there is one bit of information that will sooth your whirling minds; all of their mesh was made by machine after 1912.

There are also some other markings I have yet to determine: "1/21" is hand scribed by each of the hinges, which could be the production date. "#4" is hand scribed by one hinge and "#5" is by the other; this could possibly be the mesh size (ranged from #1 through #7), but that doesn't explain why there are two numbers. There is also a stamped "A", which is sideways and above the "WHITING & DAVIS CO." stamp. Could this be a way to decipher parts or a grading system? Perhaps you know?

Finally, notice the gem stone on the clasp of the bag on the left (Whiting & Davis was known for their use of genuine sapphires), the decorative designs on the strap sliders of the left-hand bag, the unsoldered coil and links on the right-hand bag (there are a few missing), and the difference in link sizes between the mesh on the two wrist bags. There are many details to compare and contrast, and frankly, I beginning to wonder what they carried in these things! Nevertheless, what I am certain of is these are two very special bags and if the one on the right is indeed a period "knockoff," than let copying be the highest form of 1920's flattery! I think I know just the wall to become home to these two bags.

Antique Purse of the Week: Motifs in Sterling

Above: Sterling silver frame and chain, crocheted body with silver toned beads and fringe. Inscription: A.C. Speiss

This little coin purse is only 5 1/2" from clasp to fringe and 2 1/4" wide. Ladies used to wear coin purses like these on their belts, however not all were so fancy. The black bag and shiny faceted beads nicely offset the scrolling sterling frame. I don't know who A.C. Speiss was, but I bet she was quite a lady.

Antique Purse of the Week: Silver, Gold & Black

Above: French, gold toned frame and chain, beaded body in gold, silver, and black colored glass.

Recently a very special family member gifted me an amazing antique purse collection. Needless to say I feel honored to have received this breathtaking collection. As a jeweler and a craftsperson, I really appreciate the attention to detail, the varied designs, and the care taken to create these intricate pieces. To think that someone once spent countless hours sewing, crocheting, beading, and assembling these tiny works of art is impressive to say the least. Women's finery has certainly changed quite a bit! Due to their age and materials, several of the handbags require some TLC, but are still very impressive despite their disrepair. I wish I had the occasion to take each one out for a spin, but many of them are so delicate and formal... not to mention too small to hold my wallet, cell phone, and keys! As I take the first steps toward researching their repair and preservation, I've decided to share my purses in a unique way... with this little 'ol blog! I hope you enjoy this special collection as I have in the weeks to come. Stay tuned also for compacts and other refinements.