help with dating "Charlet?" beaded purse with celluloid frame and a question about the knotted strap

laurenm

laurenm

Registered Guest
Hi there,
I didn't notice any label on this till I turned it all inside out and caught the glimmer of worn faint writing which I have altered with colour to try and make it out....I think it is Charlet which I see is a purse co.
Wondering about dating this as I see purses with that sort of handle being dated as 1920s-1960s.
The strap looks odd to me and I am wondering if this was knotted for a reason or whether it was made like that. Strange as it's not really symmetrical.
Thanks alot,
Lauren
 

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The colour and pattern of the fabric just 'says' 30's to me, the fastening certainly has an art deco style to it.
 
Oh, that's lovely!

And I agree, that frame, shape, and white beaded print fabric all say 30s to me. (Be sure to test the frame, which is either Bakelite or celluloid).

I've had 40s and 50s Charlet bags, but never one quite so early. Their bags are always very nice.

No idea about the knot... Does it appear to be original? Maybe it was a way to reduce stress on the fabric where it hung on the shoulder?
 
I just gently loosened the knot and the material underneath is a few shades lighter under it. Although I suppose the original owner could have made the knot...it's a nice little grip actually, but just 'knot' like anything i've seen before (groan). I'm also not really sure what the fabric is....it's got a bit of a sheen, I don't think it's cotton...the pattern looks like its printed or stamped on but I'm not sure.
How would one distinguish bakelite from celluloid?
Thanks to you all. It's funny, it sort of reminds me of Native American quill designs in some way.
 
The frame looks like Celluloid to me - but the way to tell for sure is to test it. You can do that by rubbing really hard until the plastic gets hot and then sniff the finger you rubbed with. (You can also use hot water but you don't want to get the bag wet....) Celluloid will have a "sweetish/vinegary" smell - and Bakelite smells very chemical; like Carbolic acid and phenol which are the ingredients. The beads are seed beads. The closure reminds me "slightly" of this C. 1930's Whiting & Davis bag of mine - yours is more "fun":

Whiting%20and%20Davis%20Cream%20Aluminum%20and%20Celluloid%20Bag.jpg
 
I love that bag, and I see what you mean about the "quill" look.

I use this stuff called Simichrome polish (it's cheap and you can find it at a hardware store or order it on line) to test for Bakelite. You can also use original Formula 409 cleaner (not the bleach kind, the original formula).

There are all sorts of helpful hints for testing on Youtube and all over the Internet. Just don't do the needle prick thing! You don't want holes in your item! And heated water is also probably not the best idea, as Linn points out.
 
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