Black satin mini handbag 1950s or earlier?

[laurenm]

Hi Everyone, hope all had a great holiday.
Any thought on this little handbag, I had thought 50s but wonder if it might be earlier. Also, is there a technical name for that 'cross' frame attachment of the chain?
Thanks for any help,
Lauren

 

[pastperfect2]

I will defer to the purse experts here, but I seen purses with that construction as early as the 1920s. It is however, a classic way to make a bag, so we will need some of the more knowledgeable folks to stop by and be more specific!

 

[Better Dresses Vintage]

I've only ever heard that sort of closure being called a "kiss lock." The two sides (sometimes little balls, or little teardrops, or what have you) criss-cross and snap with a "kiss" to hold the purse shut. But don't know any technical term for the criss-crossed chain, and will wait with you to find out!

 

[Pinkcoke]

My gut feeling is your bag is 50's/60's because of the larger pearl topped clasp which I have similar to on a 60's hatpin.
On p.150 of Roseann Ettinger's 'Handbags' there is a photo of two identically shaped handbags in pale coloured satin with a net and diamante overlay, in the section about 1950's bags.

 

[retro ruth]

I also thought the pearl clasp looked 50s at the earliest.

I think this isn't technically a kiss lock, it just looks like one. It isn't the protruding pearl topped parts that are holding the bag closed, as they don't touch, but a smaller clasp in between them is the closure.

I've seen that cross chain thing before, but I don't know of any term for it.

 

[Vinclothes]

I just call it a single chain and sometimes add "with one end attached on each side of the frame."
Marian

 

[laurenm]

Thanks everyone.
lauren