Help Dating a Handbag- 30s? 40s? 50s?

S

sadiebess

Registered Guest
I need help pinpointing the era of this purse. I think it may be lizard and eel skin, so I was thinking WWII era because I know leather was rationed then so they were using a lot of exotic skins in fashion. It has little clips to attach the strap and I'm if sure if they had that kind of hardware around back then, though. The shape is unlike anything I've come across and there are no labels in the thing at all, just a UK patent number on the snap. Any insights into origin and value would be greatly appreciated!

Also, the bottom of the bag is a bit rumpled, I was wondering if it was fixable, and if it was something I should even mess with.
 
It is an unusual and pretty shape. The clips in the photos look more like @ 70's. One determinator (?) would be how it closes. When you say the bottom of the bag is "a bit rumpled" - if you mean inside, I don't think that matters.
 
i thought those lobster claw clasps weren't used on the exteriors of handbags until the 1980s or even 90s? i don't recall ever seeing them on a handbag in the 70s...

yes, and a photo of the area that you describe as rumpled would be helpful, too.
 
I'm also with much more recent; late 80's 90's. I would love to know the strap length. I worked for Coach Leatherware for several years in the the early 90's and a style with long straps, narrow set as you see here and lots of hardware and clasps coming off the handle were brought out. Many similar bags were then introduced by lower end manufacturers with this trend.

It would be great to see front and interior shots if you could?

Julia
 
I have more pics, but I can't figure out how to upload more than one here. I guess I have to post a link to a third party site, but I don't have my act together enough to do that just now.

I did find reference to the pear shaped clips being used in the late 50s, though. As someone who came of age in the late 80s, early 90s, I would be well and truly shocked if this was from that time period. Tomorrow I'll turn on all my brain cells and load some images to my own web server if need be.
 
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