This 1940s vintage bag was Made in France, the body is a fine woven sisol straw in Midnight Blue with colorful beaded detail. White glass beads define separate panels and it is scattered all over are little multi colored floret’s. It cinches closed with satin twisted cord handles, which have bead, decorated ends. Inside is lined with very fine ivory moiré taffeta. I am smitten the looks of this bag...so festive and sweet, truly a vintage confection!

The only label reads Made in France. It is in beautiful condition with a just a few white beads missing from the edge of one of the handle ends. You can see this in the close-up photo. This is hardly noticeable but I will send a small envelope of white glass beads from my vintage bead stash for you to replace them. It's nice to have them on hand anyway in case you loose some in the future.

The size is small but not tiny and it has the following dimensions.

Height 6"

Width Across Bottom 6"

Except for the few missing beads mentioned this is in Excellent Condition

Very unusual mid century, boxy handbag.
a wondeful vintage novelty purse. The material is quite interesting. I am guessing it is a type of vinyl which has been textured to look like sewn straw. It is colored in variegated shades of blue. I have never seen another one like this, it has an almost surreal quality to it. The clasp is also unique, sort of like a a frozen wave in brass.
Inside is lined with navy taffeta with one center dividing pocket.

There is no name that I could find but I would love to know who made it. I am guessing 1940s but it could very well be a little earlier or later.

The size is small and the shape is a soft trapezoid with short handle.

..... it has the following measurements.

Body - 4 1/2" tall (not including handle)
by 7" wide (at widest point)

Side width at base - 4 1/2"

Excellent Condition
 

Handsome brown faille vintage handbag with wonderful clasp circa 1940s.
The finest faille in a lovely chocolate brown. Crescent shape with gathered body (front and back) and fold over flap. Fabric handle and brass "Coat of Arms" clasp. Gorgeous brown silk satin lining with gold trimmed inner compartments. The maker is Lewis. The body of the bag measures 10" by 6". The handle is short, fitting comfortably over the crook of the arm.

Excellent Condition

Elegant white on white beaded bag from the 1950s.

 I see a LOT of white beaded bags and it is hard to impress me but this one did. The quality of the beadwork is superior with its intricate use of crystal, white and ivory seed beads. Areas of the swirling pattern are raised giving it a wonderful texture. The frame on top which also acts as a clasp has prong set crystal rhinestones. The inside is lined in cream faille and there are two gold edged pockets. A little gold chain handle attaches to the outside frame of the bag. The Jolles Original logo is printed inside. As well as being a lovely evening bag this would work perfectly as a bridal accessory. The size is as follows 8" across by 6" high. I replaced one of the rhinestones which time had dimmed but the bag was never used and is in ...

Excellent condition

Black Whiting /Davis circa 1950s.

 
Black enameled "bubble" links seamlessly linked. Pouch shape body with serpentine chain handle. The clasp/frame is Florentine gold tone metal. The lining is black taffeta. A great day into evening purse. Vintage Whiting Davis handbags were crafted beautifully and are surprisingly sturdy. They are absolutely unique unto themselves, there is nothing to compare. Their style is eternally stylish and as time goes onthey will only become more rare.This one is a perfect medium size. It has the signature Whiting/Davis label inside.There is very minor tarnish on the frame all of the enameled links are perfect.
 

9 1/2" across the base

7" high (not counting handle)

Excellent Condition

Rich needlepoint handbag from the 1950s-early 60s by Jana.

Romantic theme, needlepoint bag in mixed petite point and needle point. Young lovers from olden times embrace in a secluded pastoral setting. Scrolls and flowers frame the scene. Often these needle point bags are plain in back but this one continues on the other side with a bountiful bouquet of colorful flowers, buds and leaves. The faces of the couple are finely detailed in tiny petite point stitches, a very nice touch!
The shape is boxy and rectangular, with black leather sides and handle. The short handle fits comfortably in the crook of the elbow and stands just under 6" tall. Inside is lined in black satin with one zippered pouch and one open pocket. The hardwear is gold. No signs of wear. It has the following measurements.

Body is 6 3/4" tall
9 1/2" across
4 1/4" deep

Excellent Condition
 

Romantic lily needlepoint bag from the 1950s.
The lily is a rare pattern in vintage needlepoint bags, a nice change from the pretty posies you so often see. The background is an antique ivory, stitched in the center is a triple spray of Cala Lilies which is framed by a garland of dusty pink, wild roses.
The bag is bell shaped with an ornate gold frame and clasp. It has a heavy chain handle which has a dark patina from age. I never polish off a true patina because I like the vintage feel it lends but you can if you want it to shine more.

The base has four brass knobs to protect the material when you set the bag down and inside is lined in a rosy taupe taffeta. It has it's original comb, mirror and change purse. There are a number of inner pockets including one for lipstick. The needlework is the same front and back and the narrow edge is detailed with a row of flowers and fine piping..

This bag was never used and is in beautiful; condition. It is an average size with the following measurements.

Body - 8 1/2" tall (not including handle)
by 10" wide

Side width - 3 1/2"

Excellent Condition
 

Fabulous oversized 1950s evening bag in metallic gold leather.

 If you find that most evening bags tend to be too skimpy then here's the bag for you! At first I thought the material was gold vinyl but after closer inspection of the inside edge I realized it is a gilded leather. This beautiful handbag has the classic lines and size of a 1950s day bag but the metallic gold leather makes it the perfect accessory for your most fancy attire. It is crafted well with gold piping at the seams, brass feet on the base and nice gold toned hardware. It is lined inside with buff colored faille and has two inner pockets one with a zipper. I was surprised not to find a label in such a nicely designed bag, so I do not know the maker. It was barely used and the only flaw I find is a small spot on the metal clasp. This may even polish off but I would leave it be because it is hardly noticeable and I would not want to risk marring the finish.

It’s measurements are 8" tall (not including handle)

11 ½" across at the widest point

and 3" deep.

Very Good Condition

Unique 1960s carpet/tapestry style handbag with leather sides.
The front of this novel vintage bag is done in a medallion theme, carpet tapestry. The sides and back are a very sturdy leather which keeps a rigid form. It has a wonderful brass finished clasp which you can see better in the detail pictures. The leather handles are riveted in place with leather covered buttons, a nice extra detail. It is finished on the inside with a faux wood lining and has one vinyl pocket. There is no name that I can find. The size measures 9 1/2" across the base.

Excellent Condition
 

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