Chain for a 1930s beaded bag

TinTrunk

TinTrunk

Registered Guest
One of my most treasured possessions is this 1930s beaded evening bag:

beadbag_400w.jpg


It is in absolutely mint condition, but it is missing its chain handle. If I could ever find a chain to match it my life won't exactly be complete, but it will be more complete! :)

The frame is a fairly light gold colour and I know it will be tricky to match it. And I might possibly have to buy a complete frame and take the chain off it.

Brighton Museum has the same bag on display, and I can't seem to get a static link to its record online but if you go here:

http://www.virtualmuseum.info/collections/default.asp

and put 'CT003948' in the search box, it will come up.

Can anyone help?!
 
Wow: well done on finding the same bag! It's great that you have a date like that - very rare to have that luck.

If I were you, I'd take your lovely bag to a bead and jewellery bits shop and see if you can match the colour to the chains they have. They should have a good range of sizes, types and colours - you may not find the perfect one, but should find something that will be close enough.

Good luck!

Nicole
 
What a great idea! :USETHUMBUP:

I was so focused on having to get a chain of the same date, that didn't occur to me at all.

In fact the chain on the Brighton Museum example looks a bit iffy to me! Perhaps they did the same thing! :lol:
 
If I could ever find a chain to match it my life won't exactly be complete, but it will be more complete!
Click to expand...

:hysterical:

Your bag is breathtaking, and puts a VERY new spin on the whole "scenic beaded bag" category! The way the flower shaped beads and flowers on the frame match is just leaving me speechless with admiration...

I can see why you're so determined to be very careful with matching the chain, and think Nicole's suggestion is great. If you google "purse supplies" or "purse making", you'll come up with sites where you can buy the chain like this one: http://www.shopatron.com/products/category/326.0.1.1.10532.0.0.0.0 but matching the color of the finish on the metal is going to be tricky...
 
Thanks so much Carrie!

My first instinct was to keep it as authentic as possible but that would involve a quest that might take years!

I wonder if those suppliers might send sample links so I can see which matches best. It wouldn't hurt to ask!
 
Thanks Amanda! Its been in my collection for years, carefully stowed away, and it looks like its never been used.

And it was quite a shock to visit Brighton Museum some time later and see it on display there! :o
 
I am going to agree. Get a modern chain that works. If it makes you feel more at ease, you can get acid free paper and write a little note and stick it in the purse that states that you added a modern chain and what date you did it. This way, you will never forget and also if someday you decide to pass it on because you found a new love, the info will always be there. (I tend to forget exactly when I did things too). When you find an older chain, you can swap it. You may not find an old chain for sale by itself, but I am sure you can eventually find a handbag of the same timeframe and shape that is damaged beyond repair that has a good chain that you can swap out.

I especially like the pinetrees in this one!
 
patentleathershoes - excellent idea! Its good to keep a record of any repairs/restoration, especially with a memory like mine :)

I'm thinking about ultimately donating it to a museum - but not for a long time yet of course! - and they'd appreciate a note like that too.

Cheers thespectrum!
 
Meet another anal person, hi! :hiya:

Its in my nature, but after five years of volunteering at a costume museum I'm getting worse!

And sorry, I keep forgetting to add my name to my postings . . .

Sarah
 
I too wouldv'e died and gone to heaven having added this beauty to my collection....I covet that one..haven't one like it with the picturesque detailing....

fab fab fab....I do buy frames and would be happy to keep an eye open for a suitable one for you....(as long as you leave it to me in your will!!) only joking!
 
Aw, bless you Sara (I hope that's your name!) :wub:

Do let me know if you ever find a good candidate chain (or frame and chain even) for this bag. I'll probably still be looking!

I've done a trawl of modern purse supplies and so far none of their chains look 'vintage' enough. Of course I'll keep looking, but if anyone has a bag of a similar age and style of frame, I'd love to see what type of chain is authentic because I'm really not sure right now. I suspect it would be quite a simple chain with small oval links.

This is an appeal for any pics of 1930s metal frame bags/purses with chains. Just so I can recognise what type of chain I should be looking for!

Sarah
 
Wow what a lovely purse, I can see why its one of your most prized possessions.

Have you thought about trying Etsy? There are pages and pages of brass chain, toooo many for me to go through not knowing exactly what I am looking for. It comes in every size, link, length and finish imaginable and its actually quite inexpensive. For a few bucks you could try different ones to see what looks right to you.

If you are not familiar with etsy make sure you look only under supplies (search brass chain) or you will be overwhelmed going through the necklaces/bracelets made with brass chain. You may have to refine your search to large brass chain so you don't get teeny weenie stuff.

I can't tell from the museum picture but it looks like a dainty cable link to me.

Good luck, we certainly want you to feel mostly complete;)
 
Big thanks Ludi - people keep coming up with great ideas and I'm literally like this - :duh2:

I've only just started selling on Etsy in the past month, but I never look at supplies not being a crafter. But I certainly will now!

And incidentally, I just checked out your Etsy shop and discovered your birthday is the same as mine! :clapping:

Not long now . . . ! :drinkingtoast:
 
You bet it does!

I honestly don't know how anyone puts up with me - I drive myself mad :wacko:

Cheers, my dear! :drinking2:
 
I shall try to remember to dig out my 30s bags to photograph the chains....l'm not off till mid next week...u2u me to remind me..
 
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