Help with Handiwork on 1920s handbag and clasp on 50s. (HUGE HIGH RES PICS WARNING)

I just brought out my handbag collection to weed through the keepers. Just so you know in advance, i will be selling the second handbag and probably keeping the first.

anyhow...i have two questions.

First bag:
1) Please help me with this method/treatment on this lovely 1920s teeny tiny handbag. It is lavendar beads, but the vines and flowers are something else that I can't name. it is not crewel work, as the beads tower above it if that makes any sense, giving it a "carved in" appearance and most crewel i see is very "yarny". It is not embroidery, either. I just really would like to know the name of it. (and i will probably wonder how i could have been so stupid once someone says it : )

I have included a close up and then a full view.

<img src="http://image.inkfrog.com/pix/patentleathershoes/20spurse1.jpg" width=720 height=420>

<img src="http://image.inkfrog.com/pix/patentleathershoes/20spurse2.jpg" width=500 height=535>

<img src="http://image.inkfrog.com/pix/patentleathershoes/20spurse3.jpg" width=525 height=361>

<img src="http://image.inkfrog.com/pix/patentleathershoes/20spurse5.jpg" width=375 height=422>


The second bag i am wondering about the clasp. (the white seed bead and yellow sequins number) i have not seen another like it. there is a little chain, presumably to not have your handbag spring open, and to be "caught" before that happens, but the clasp is absolutely like fort knox. it is not hinged at all, but somehow, you have to push it up and back. what would you call that tpe of pressure clasp? I will cross post that to the purse group to see if anyone knows as well.


<img src=http://image.inkfrog.com/pix/patentleathershoes/seedbead4.jpg>


<img src="http://image.inkfrog.com/pix/patentleathershoes/seedbead.jpg" width=583 height=448>


Thanks in advance!

Chris

 

I'm at a loss. Hopefully someone will show up soon to help. Let us know if you hear from the purse group.

 

I am content with calling the second a pressure clasp and leaving it at that, but the top one i would really like to know.

 

Can't help with the second one.

I'll be interested to know what you learn about the first one, as I have a couple similar to it. I've always thought them to be made in India because of the embroidery, which is all chain-stitch, like tambour work. I don't know if there is a name for the raised beadwork. The whole effect puts me in mind of marquetry.

I've always understood these small purses were belt purses - which is what the loop is for. But someone told me it was for sliding your hand or your gloves into. I think I prefer the belt version!

 

The first one -- is it not tambour work? Essentially a form of embroidered crochet done on a fine textile. A small hooked needle is used to make chain stitches, securing them through the muslin or other fine textile.

 

Woops... we cross posted Margaret.

The loop at the back, I have always understood, was for gloves.

 

The first looks like tambour work to me too. It would've been done first with a fine thread and then the beads would be applied.

The second? - that clasp is really unusual and I don't have a clue!

 

Thanks for all the input! Tambour work...i am going to look up more pics of that for my own learning as well....(quite a change from my typical Mod purses : )

Anyhow, my immediate thought (like Margaret) was a belt as the later ones that you slip gloves into were larger - so you can essentially put the gloves into them flat or folded without "rumpling" them...this one is 6.5" long so not huge...but I guess it would work, as you would just slip them in like a napkin holder. The loop is just 3". The argument FOR it being for gloves that Jonathan is suggesting he usually assumes this is for, is supported by the fact that the "loop" is not tight to the body of it. It is firnly attached of course, satin lined on the reverse. and so much a part of the whole vs an after thought, but when you slip fingers through, it does expand more i would say 2" or so if the purse laying flat was the bottom and the top of the loop when expanded was the top. maybe you can get a little more if there is nothing hardsided in the clutch and then it will round out on the purse side too.

HOWEVER, another thought for it being a belt purse is that yes, it might "flop" forward if attached to a belt, however, when i see belt purse i automatically think of the little change purse attached to a modern width-ed skinny belt like in girl scouts. Like a 2" belt at the absolute max, but most likely a lot skinnier. belts of this particular era, unlike right now, could be more sash like, or i have seen metal belts and thicker, beaded textile belts. It wouldn't be very likely as a lady that you would be wearing a 1 1/2" simu - faux croc belt like you might wear with khakis nowadays.

Do the additional info of dimensions give any more ideas?

chris