Help dating and Typing Corde/Crochet Purse with Celluloid (?) handle.

[laurenm]

Hi Everyone,
I see similar purses listed as 1930's but want to be a bit more certain.
No label, just Made in the U.S.A on the inside of the frame.
Is this considered 'corde' or would you describe this as Crochet?
Thanks alot,
Lauren

 

[Linn]

That is a real cutie. Love the frame. I agree with 1930's. I didn't think it was made of cordé until I saw your close-up and the little balls do look like corde. I have a purse that is a very similar design but mine is a crocheted knit in a popcorn stitch.

Linn

 

[laurenm]

Thanks Linn,
So what distinguishes 'crochet' from 'corde' roughly?

 

[Vinclothes]

Corde is made of gimp sewed in decorative patterns to a cloth background. Gimp is the individual rounded cord of fabric used for decorative purposes. So a purse can be crocheted of rounded cords and thus is a crocheted purse, but the same rounded cords could have been laid in a decorative pattern onto a cloth background and be called corde. Clear, huh? Both were very popular in the 40's and early 50's.
Marian

 

[Linn]

This is a pretty good example of corde; this one has a Bakelite handle:

And this is a pretty good example of crocheted popcorn stitch- also with a Celluloid handle.

When I look at a close-up photo of my bag, it does look very much like yours, so I think yours is crocheted, also.

Linn

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

I agree with crochet, not corde.

 

[laurenm]

Thanks all,
Mine does look almost identical to yours Linn except mine has the 'corde' ? handle. I'm not sure if you can see it from the photos, but the handle is actually pretty cool, it's crocheted (?) into a squared rope...it actually doesn't show on the photo, it is perfectly smooth and 4 sided with this nifty little cyclindrical thing in the middle of the rope handle. So, would I be accurate on the side of caution to say 50s or 40s?