Handmade Hanky Bag
- Thread starter Sarara Brazil
- Start date
Whoops...just read your title.
This purse appears to be made up from an embroidered hand towel with a Made in Czechoslovakia or Made in Belgium or perhaps even a Made in Hong Kong beaded frame from the late 50s or early 60s.
It's difficult to say when someone would have re-constructed it...I would think fairly recently but it might have been back in the 1970s, I don't think it would be any earlier than that.
This purse appears to be made up from an embroidered hand towel with a Made in Czechoslovakia or Made in Belgium or perhaps even a Made in Hong Kong beaded frame from the late 50s or early 60s.
It's difficult to say when someone would have re-constructed it...I would think fairly recently but it might have been back in the 1970s, I don't think it would be any earlier than that.
Sarara Brazil
Registered Guest
Yeah, I was thinking maybe it is a 50's edwardian inspired hanky bag or something to that affect. The inside shows age to the fabric so I am thinking it was made 50's pieces-60's overall... Up close the thread looks really old inside so that is why I think 60's..... The hanky and shape is Edwardian 20's inspired folk art, how to describe? 60's victorian revival -70's...../// It kind of just has a romantic hippie feel. I think it's fun but having a hard time describing...Does anyone have any suggestions? thanks!
Rue_de_la_Paix
VFG Member
Hi,
This a very cute little combination item, and it would be difficult to say exactly when it was made. The handle is 1950's -early 1960s, from an evening bag or dressy occasion bag. The hankie, as Mary Jane has pointed out is actually a piece of a hand towel, small doily or possibly a table mat, napkin etc. That flower basket motif looks early 20th century, and was extremely popular for embroidering on linens, both machine and hand done. The embroidery has a vague 1920s look to to me for some reason and could even be later, although the Greek motif at the top was out of style by 1930. The loopy trim beading style is sort of Edwardian Deco. I would not call the purse Victorian inspired, although the person who made it may have thought it was.
The use of a what would be termed a "casual linen" with a very dressy beaded purse handle is an odd marriage. The handle should have been paired with a fancier, and more elegant fabric such as a brocade, heavy silk, etc. But today so many people mix n match and that is still a very creative and attractive purse.
This a very cute little combination item, and it would be difficult to say exactly when it was made. The handle is 1950's -early 1960s, from an evening bag or dressy occasion bag. The hankie, as Mary Jane has pointed out is actually a piece of a hand towel, small doily or possibly a table mat, napkin etc. That flower basket motif looks early 20th century, and was extremely popular for embroidering on linens, both machine and hand done. The embroidery has a vague 1920s look to to me for some reason and could even be later, although the Greek motif at the top was out of style by 1930. The loopy trim beading style is sort of Edwardian Deco. I would not call the purse Victorian inspired, although the person who made it may have thought it was.
The use of a what would be termed a "casual linen" with a very dressy beaded purse handle is an odd marriage. The handle should have been paired with a fancier, and more elegant fabric such as a brocade, heavy silk, etc. But today so many people mix n match and that is still a very creative and attractive purse.
Sarara Brazil
Registered Guest
Thank goodness okay, I am definitely leaning towards the Edwardian Deco inspired- I thought that the napkin was actually teens 20's but was not sure. Yes, agreed that the match of the bottom and mouth is odd. So as a description: (maybe) Folk handmade 1960's casual linen bag made of earlier 1920's era napkin featuring the greek key embroidered design and 1950's beaded frame?
Last questions: Is there any possibility that the bottom half of the bag was indeed 1920's napkin, beads and all and it broke loose and they "fixed it" in the 60's with a "new mouth" at the time to salvage....... Any final thoughts as I finish the description? Or does someone think the "hanky/napkin" is 50's as well? Could I include possible Made in Czechoslovakia or Made in Belgium as napkin as Mary Jane stated?
Thank you so much, so far this has been such a help.
Last questions: Is there any possibility that the bottom half of the bag was indeed 1920's napkin, beads and all and it broke loose and they "fixed it" in the 60's with a "new mouth" at the time to salvage....... Any final thoughts as I finish the description? Or does someone think the "hanky/napkin" is 50's as well? Could I include possible Made in Czechoslovakia or Made in Belgium as napkin as Mary Jane stated?
Thank you so much, so far this has been such a help.
Goth Hobbit
Registered Guest
Sara, I'm leaning towards 20s for the body of the bag as well. Cross-stitch seemed to really take off after WW1, based on what I've seen from vintage and antique transfer patterns. (Companies such as McCall's adapted a number of older motifs, like the bride's basket shown here, for cross-stitch transfers.)
My hypothesis is that the bag was assembled late 60s/early 70s; I can see someone carrying it while wearing a Gunne Sax dress.
My hypothesis is that the bag was assembled late 60s/early 70s; I can see someone carrying it while wearing a Gunne Sax dress.
Sarara Brazil
Registered Guest
Thanks everyone, I think you have been so helpful in putting the pieces together with me. I am now able to post this bag! Vintage is never dull