Handbags!

[Dilly Day]

I recently bought a box full of vintage handbags, evening bags & purses online because I'd seen a couple in the lot that I wanted. A little box handbag with mother of pearl inlay intrigued me and now it's arrived I'm really happy with it. I thought it might have been lucite (the photos weren't great!) but the label shows it's lacquered wood. I've found a few similar online and they seem to vary in age from the 50s to the 80s. Mine has a Made in Vietnam label but also an Agnés b. label so guess they were imported to be sold in Ab shops. It could do with a good clean but other than that it is in very good condition with no damage to the inlay.
There were 23 bags/purses and some compacts & mirrors too. Something I hadn't even noticed from the photos was a fabulous Cordé handbag in excellent condition so I am thrilled with that! Not sure of its age - 30s or 40s?
Have attached some photos - sorry if there are too many!

 

[BlackLotusVintage]

Let me start by saying WOW!!!! What incredible bags, a great score! The Corde handbag I would place in the 1940's era, though there are some from 1950's, I believe yours is 1940's. Here is a great Blog on the history of the Corde handbags from one of our own @Vintagepursegal

20 Oct 1940, Sun Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Fort Worth, Texas) Newspapers.com


Your box purse, which is to die for, I believe is 1970's and is indeed made of lacquer with mother of pearl inlays. You will see many like it dated to the 1950's, but the Agnes b' label started in 1973 and is still in business today! Here is the brand's history- https://www.agnesb.com/en-us/History.html

 

[VenSara]

I’ve seen similar ones listed as 50s too, so the Agnès b. label being a clue to a 70s origin is really helpful context. The Vietnamese craftsmanship with mother of pearl is always so striking—nice to see one in such good shape. I actually bought a vintage bag myself when I was in Vietnam. There were so many beautiful pieces with lacquer work and inlay detailing.