Help- Whiting Davis Mesh ?Mini Purse

Shygarden

Shygarden

Alumni
Hi everyone!

I bought this today on my journeys. A Whiting Davis mesh purse. I believe this is called Dresden because of the circular mesh (please correct me if I'm wrong!) :) The mesh is enameled white, red and yellow . The frame - blue.

I'm not quite sure of the date. And I'm not exactly sure what to call it. You see, despite the size of the pic, it measures only 4 inches high (without the chain) and 2 3/4 inches wide. Coin purse? Dance card holder? Mini purse? Chatelaine purse?

Suggestions MOST welcome!!!!! :roll:

Thanks,

Diane

<img src="http://image.inkfrog.com/pix/shygarden2/whiting2.jpg" width=492 height=656>
<img src="http://image.inkfrog.com/pix/shygarden2/whiting.jpg" width=499 height=391>
 
are the individual links colored or is it painted over?

Very very neat!

I have had tiny bags before that i was surprised that were what was carried. Some are coin purses, but in this case, we must remember that ladies didn't carry around as much in those days if they were out for an evening. people didn't have credit cards and cell phones. you could travel light in the evening.

as far as mesh, i have found the whiting and davis website to be good determining brass versus aluminum mesh, but this type would not be covered there as it the company website. Reminds me of chain mail :)

I will see what more i can dig up momentarily. I more specialize in a little bit later of a purse. Hollis would definitely know, but i will go look in some more info I have

Chris
 
Thanks Chris!

It looks like each link is enameled white, and the red/yellow is painted over.

It really is cute as a button - I kinda want to keep it....but I don't know :)
 
I just found a great site with amazing examples of Whiting Davis!

<a href="http://tri-stateantiques.com/meshbags3.html">Check out the Mickey Mouse Purse</a>

The little bags this size are listed as childrens.
 
Hee hee - I just noticed what topic I put this in - my mistake!!!! lol Not sure what I did there.....sorry! lol :roll:
 
One of my books has a similar bag it calls a Miniature Dresden Style Enameled Mesh Bag.

Miniatures were popular for some years - tiny purses meant to hold a few coins or a bill or two. So it could be a child's, but miniature is as likely. Another text states a good price guide is about 1/2 what a similar full size purse would bring.

The Dresdens I have seen were generally stronger color combos and are enameled on baby fine mesh.

Hollis
 
Thank you very much Hollis!

Would 1920s be a correct date for this? Or thereabouts?

I'm straining my eyes trying to see some sort of pattern in the coloring, but I just can't see it. When I looked at the mesh closely through a loupe it really doesn't appear as though there has been much fading or loss of color - and very very little loss of white enamel. Is it unusual to have just a little splash like the red/yellow or do you think that the image has faded out?
 
1920s is right.

All the Dresdens I have photos of or have seen are the full size where there is more room to have a pattern. But while many are floral patterns, a lot are just have soft areas of random color like yours. I think your purse is fine, just it's so small that it's splashes of clor.

Hollis
 
Thanks so much Hollis!

I can finally re-focus my eyes then! lol I realized after studying it for so long that there are little splashes of blue as well.
 
Hi Chris!

I was thinking of keeping it, but I've decided not to. I'm a reformed pack rat and the new motto around here is EVERYTHING GOES! lol

I will probably list it on ebay by Sunday :)
 
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