Floral Embroidered Bag

N

nansbag

Registered Guest
I am hoping someone can help me with dating an embroidered bag which I inherited from my grandmother (born 1904). It may have belonged to her mother or aunt and is possibly Australian made as her family has been here since 1804. There are no labels inside so I think it could be home made.

The bag is fully embroidered (front, back and sides) and about 18cm/7ins from top to bottom. There are pinky/orange stones on the clasp. One side of the metal frame has colouring (red and white ?enamelling, partly worn off) but there is none on the other side. Inside it is lined and there is a small pocket on each side. One of the pockets appears to have elastic at the top.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Front
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Inside
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Back
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What a beautiful bag! The stone looks like a carnelian. It appears to be embroidered with silk thread. The enamel work is very pretty, I like the pieces on either edge.

I would think it would date to about 1910.

I'm sure more members will join in with their opinions.

Thanks for sharing it with us.
 
How lovely! And it looks to be in wonderful condition!

I love the way the floral motif in the clasp and the enamelled side of the frame harmonizes with the rose pattern to the embroidery.

Looks like the two sides of the frame have different embossing/stamping on them, with the enamelling only on the "front" of the purse (where the design is in greater relief)?

My first thought on the stones was carnelian, too.
 
Thank you all for your feedback. It's great to know more about a family heirloom like this. If it is circa 1910, then that supports the theory that it probably did belong to my grandmother's mother or aunt (as Nell would have been only 6 at that time). Thanks again for your help.
 
The evening bag could be much later. This style was popular in the 1930's, 1940's and even into the 1950's. It looks like machine embroidery. You'll be able to tell if you unpick a bit of the lining. I've seen that rick-rack lining trim on much later evening bags.
 
Like vertugarde, I think it could be more modern, or at least the lining looks it, especially the braid that looks synthetic - of course, it's not uncommon to replace lining. I agree that if you have a peak beneath it, it might help.

Nicole
 
It is lovely! I wouldn't put it as late as the 50s, but I can easily see it being 30s or 40s! The frame looks to be in exceptionally good condition for much earlier. I've seen similar cabochons in the clasps in bags from the late 40s. But, I haven't handled too many bags that are much earlier. The couple that I've had that date 20s or earlier have had oxidation or tarnish on the frames. Not saying that all bags of that age will have that, but I'd expect to see some darkening of the frame in spots, if not overall.

I agree if you can peek under the lining it might give you a better clue.
 
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