30s or 40s on this ostrich skin handbag?

retro ruth

retro ruth

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This is a recent find which I'm very taken with :wub:, wanted to share it, but also hoping to get a more accurate idea of its dating.

I think it's forties but wanted to check - I find the shaping rather art deco, and did wonder if it could be a bit earlier. It measures 8.5 inches across at the widest point along the base.

Also would the little clip have been meant for keys? Or would there have been another coin purse there?

TIA

Ruth

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Oops, I meant to reply when I first saw this, but got taken away and never came back.... First, that is an adorable bag!!!! Much nicer than any ostrich bag I've had!

I'm by no means an expert on bags, but I think it is mid/late 40s into possibly as late as the mid 50s. The rigid rings look 40s to me, but the frame and clasp are looking more 50s. Even though the clasp has an art-deco feel to it, I've found that many, many of my bags with those great clasps are from the 50s. Although the style of the enclosed change purse, which is darling, throws me, since I've never seen one built quite like it!

I don't know if this helps or not, but I don't see 30s here. I could certainly be wrong, though! Hopefully one of our bag mavens will come along soon!
 
Thanks for all your thoughts. Taking the consensus, I think I'm going to say "30s or early 40s."

FWIW it's the overall shaping, not just the clasp, that rings Art Deco bells for me.

Thanks too for all your appreciation. It's so great to be able to share our lovely finds on here and have people chime in and like them as much as ourselves! I love this forum :)
 
Thanks again! It's not super large, 8.5 x 7.5 inches, but larger than some of the dinky bags from that period, that seemed to be meant to only hold a few coins and a lipstick! It's also in very good condition :)
 
I think this is from the 1930's. The patina of the ostrich skin is very consistent with the skins I have come across. Handbags or purses in the 1920's had swivel kiss clasps and handbags with an outer frame and an inner kiss clasp frame on a swivel bar, are sometimes known as double frame bags. Swivel clasp (coin) purses divided into two were around in the 1930's - the moire or grosgrain half for coins and the kid leather for notes.

The key ring is a nice feature.
 
You all are right, I'm sure, about the dating on this bag, which is a wonderful one! But, I have to say, I have had many 50's bags that emulate the deco look very closely.... Although I was thinking 40s on this ostrich one because of the rings.
 
There was a Deco revival in the '50's but in jewelry (anyway) you can tell that it's not "period" because of the construction.

I got what we call a '30s' "vibe" about this bag - not to say there aren't some bags from the '50s' with similar design elements.

Linn
 
Having it in my hands, I'd be surprised if it were as late as 50s. Like Linn said, it's a 'vibe'. But I'm less experienced than most people here I expect.

Originally posted by vertugarde
purses divided into two were around in the 1930's - the moire or grosgrain half for coins and the kid leather for notes.
Click to expand...

I've seen other divided purses that were kid on one side, but interestingly this one isn't - the white section on this is also moiré fabric.

Ruth
 
Another vote for 30s. And how lovely!

The center coin purse is in such nice shape--I usually find 'em with the swivel mechanism askew and the linings worn/dirty.

And that key clip is just nifty--haven't seen anything like that in any but contemporary purses... It's nice to know that there were actually purse manufacturers aware of women's need to keep keys safe and handy back then...
 
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