50s-60s velvet shoulder bag with appliqued gold braid detail.

 In the late 50s -earlier 60s there was a craze for baroque styles. Think gilded frames,cherubs and brocade. Fashion was no exception, gold braids and filligree trims were popular embellishments. This shoulder bag is a lush black velveteen with applied gold braid in a Spanish influenced scrolling pattern. It is nicely constructed with a black faille lining and zippered opening.  The velveteen shoulder straps are also decorated with gold braid detail. There is no label.

The body of the bag measures 9 1/2" by 11 1/2". A nice size will hold lots but not too oversized. Never used and in wonderful shape.


Excellent Condition

 

Sweet little embroidered bag from the 1960s by L and M.

Stylized leaves in ivory, copper and gold are machine embroidered in satin thread against a neutral background... all around front to back. The sides and handles are bone colored vinyl and there is a sculptural gold clasp frosted in white. The inside is lined in apricot satin with one side pocket

Modest in size with trapezoid sides... it's a pretty little thing, bound to get compliments.

In wonderful condition, it still has it's original mirror. Not tiny but a smaller bag, it has the following measurements..

Body - 6" tall (not including handle)
by 10" wide (at widest point)

Side width at base - 4"

Excellent Condition

Gorgeous 1950s-60s vintage velvet purse with traditional zardozi metal thread embroidery from India.
Zardozi is an ancient form of embroidery in which ornate patterns are created from gold and silver threads. The work itself requires great skill and costly materials. Original zardozi work combines different types of thin pure silver threads coated with gold which is painstakingly appliqued to a background fabric. Small pearls and beads or stones are added as embellishment. Here is a link to a site which explains the art of zardozi work. Indian Embroidery

Envelope style purse with embroidered flap. Lined in black with long twisted satin shoulder strap. The bag is created entirely by hand every stitch! Since the artisans used no machine stitching anywhere these bags have a soft constructed look.
A perfect size for evening it measures 5" by 8".
The condition is very nice. All the embroidery is intact and still bright. The fabric shows a bit of age but is not worn looking.

Excellent Condition

Gorgeous, Fre-Mor beaded box handbag and matching change purse.

These amazing 1940s vintage bags are becoming more and more rare AND costly. They are highly prized by collectors, particularly if they are signed and of exceptional design. During WW11 materials for manufacturing were restricted and the apparel industry was limited in the types of goods they had available to them. Leather and metal were needed for the military so handbag makers had to get creative. Beaded bags became popular along with various types of plastic. This tradition continued long after the war into the 1950s.

The bag we offer here is a perfect example. The shape is a boxy oval encrusted with deep blue, iridescent beadwork (think blue carnival glass) The beadwork is done in staggered panels of looped fringe and flat beading. It has a wide beaded handle, which finishes on both sides with bead fringe. The lid is faux tortoise lucite, engraved with beautiful scrollwork. At first I thought this was purely decorative but if you look closely it is an intricate monogram with the letters E-T/F?-B. The center letter could be either. Inside it is lined with deep brown satin. There is one pocket for a mirror or comb. When I bought this I was delighted to see it had a matching beaded change purse with looped detail. The change purse zips with a white metal zipper and is lined in black satin.

The original mirror on the inside hinged lid has been replaced. More often than not time destroys the backing on old mirrors which is very unsightly. I had to search high and low to find a glass company who carried the thin mirror stock needed for this bag. They did a great job but to my disappointment they could not bevel the edges on such a small bit of mirror so I took a piece of vintage metallic gold cord and framed around the edge for a more professional look. The mirror has been applied with non-acid adhesive so the finish will stay bright.

The bag has a deco inspired brass clasp and inside the label says An Original Fre-Mor Creation. A nice size it has the following dimensions

Handbag

Length 7 1/4"

Depth 3 1/4"

Height (with out handle) 5"

Change Purse

Length 6"

Width 4"

Aside from the replaced mirror this bag and matching purse are in Excellent Condition