Help dating an old beaded purse
- Thread starter Athena
- Start date
Circa Vintage Clothing
Alumni
It looks home made...I'm thinking craft project circa 1970s-80s.
The top looks like it's quite worn - is the lining cotton? It must have been quite loved, I wonder if the beaded front was from something else, perhaps something older.
The top looks like it's quite worn - is the lining cotton? It must have been quite loved, I wonder if the beaded front was from something else, perhaps something older.
It looks like 1920s to me. It most likely had a beaded handle or perhaps a drawstring closure that fell apart, so someone salvaged it by adding that black roping as a handle.
The lining looks like a cotton, super pattern, love the colors and it looks like a silk crepe at the very top where that snap was sewn on, the snap was most likely not original either.
Love the peacock motif!
The lining looks like a cotton, super pattern, love the colors and it looks like a silk crepe at the very top where that snap was sewn on, the snap was most likely not original either.
Love the peacock motif!
i agree, it looks like an upcycled 80s/90s project utilizing the antique peacock front, adding the cord and snap, and re-sewing or even replacing the lining. The lining fabric is great, but the (machine) stitches look sloppy, indicating that it was home sewn/redone.
Athena
Registered Guest
Actually the lining, snaps and rope seem to be a lot older to me. The lining is all a silk crepe, actually, and quite delicate-not what you would expect from a fabric from the 80s or 90s. The cord is discolored and the snaps are tarnished. Maybe the purse was altered, but I think it must have been earlier. It is interesting how the machine stitching on the pocket is so sloppy, and it looks like other parts were hand sewn. The back of the purse is also a delicate silk-like fabric, and it's starting to wear in some places. Here's some more pictures, if that helps at all.
boncly
VFG Member
There were a lot of beaded purse kits in the 1920s. I have a purse that reminds me of this one, in construction & shape, that I believe is from a kit.
As to the poor sewing - I think that since many of us today don't sew or don't sew well, it's possible that we just assume that everyone was an expert seamstress "back then".
As to the poor sewing - I think that since many of us today don't sew or don't sew well, it's possible that we just assume that everyone was an expert seamstress "back then".
lol...i realize i may be projecting some personal experiences into this thread...back in the 90s i had a young surfer-girl friend from the North Shore who's parents were true hippies (her words, not mine) and for extra cash, Harimah was always upcycling/repurposing vintage (although it wasn't "called" upcycling or repurposing, at that time) ...her thing at that time was embellished little pouch purses, similar to the original one up above being posted about. She would mend them, add satin or twisted braid cording for handles, and would give/sell them to her little surfer girl friends. and those little bags would just get trashed from all the use they got.
so, like i said, i think i just sort of projected that onto this little cutie of a bag.
so, like i said, i think i just sort of projected that onto this little cutie of a bag.
Athena
Registered Guest
Thanks everybody. I think I can pretty safely say it's mostly 1920s - I've been looking around online and there are a lot of similar style purses from the 1920s for sale, even some with peacocks (I think they must have been popular around that time too). I think it's quite possible that it was a homemade project, and that's why it has a braided handle rather than the popular chain handle (I've seen a couple other braided handles on similar purses).
Circa Vintage Clothing
Alumni
Diana, I agree that seamstresses weren't necessarily all skilled back then, but the pockets on bags I've seen in older bags are sewn using different techniques (not top stitched like this one) and not with a contrasting thread! That looks very amateurish, it's only the modern sewer who would be happy to leave it like this, especially with the beautiful beadwork.
It would be easier if we knew what the fabrics were - eg, are the beads plastic or glass - obviously '20s beads will not be plastic - is the lining cotton, is the braid cotton, silk or polyester? A modern braid would probably have some synthetics.
I agree with the others, and stand by my earlier assessment that this is a remodelled piece, perhaps with '20s elements but on the available information I can not support the idea that it is "mostly '20s" although, as with all identification enquiries posted here, looking at photos and asking questions are never a substitute for holding it in your hand.
It would be easier if we knew what the fabrics were - eg, are the beads plastic or glass - obviously '20s beads will not be plastic - is the lining cotton, is the braid cotton, silk or polyester? A modern braid would probably have some synthetics.
I agree with the others, and stand by my earlier assessment that this is a remodelled piece, perhaps with '20s elements but on the available information I can not support the idea that it is "mostly '20s" although, as with all identification enquiries posted here, looking at photos and asking questions are never a substitute for holding it in your hand.
Athena
Registered Guest
I don't know how much help I'll be as far as identifying the materials - I'm new to this and I don't have a lot of e xperience yet. The beads feel like glass to me but they're so tiny that I'm not sure. The braid seems like cotton, it's not shiny or smooth like the newer synthetic ones that you find on purses. And as far as the lining it's definitely not cotton but I'm not sure what it is - I thought it was similar to the tan colored fabric under the snaps but after inspecting it again it's thicker and much smoother. Maybe I'll just hold on to this one for a while until I know more.
Vinclothes
Alumni +
Glass beads have a distinctive click sound against your teeth. Compare the sound to a bead or button that you know is plastic. They will also be cool and heavy for their size. Best wishes, learning is a wonderful journey. Marian
Athena
Registered Guest
Marian -
Thanks, the beads feel cool when I put them against my cheek. The bag feels pretty heavy from the weight of the beads but it's hard to tell how heavy the individual beads are. I tested the beads against my teeth and it seemed to have the same sound as when I click my teeth against a glass - I also compared to a plastic necklace and didn't notice the same clicking sound.
-Athena
Thanks, the beads feel cool when I put them against my cheek. The bag feels pretty heavy from the weight of the beads but it's hard to tell how heavy the individual beads are. I tested the beads against my teeth and it seemed to have the same sound as when I click my teeth against a glass - I also compared to a plastic necklace and didn't notice the same clicking sound.
-Athena