Vintage Micro Beaded Purse ID help

[Catalpa_ave]

Hi again,
I found this beautiful purse with my grandmother’s 1920’s wedding gown. I’ve looked pretty carefully but cannot find any identification. The more I research it seems as if perhaps the designer did not use a label or mark on these purses?

also, I see an angel riding a dragon in the clouds, does anyone else get this religious association?
Thanks so much, everyone here has been so kind with my other posts!

 

[retro ruth]

I see Greek mythology rather than religion. It's not a dragon but a hippocampus or sea horse - head of a horse body of a sea monster. The figure riding is possibly Eros (aka Cupid to the Romans), and is holding a harp. And waves, rather than clouds.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocampus_(mythology)

The geometric design at the edges also looks inspired by classical Greek art

 

[Catalpa_ave]

I see Greek mythology rather than religion. It's not a dragon but a hippocampus or sea horse - head of a horse body of a sea monster. The figure riding is possibly Eros (aka Cupid to the Romans), and is holding a harp. And waves, rather than clouds.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocampus_(mythology)

The geometric design at the edges also looks inspired by classical Greek art

That makes perfect sense and looking again, I agree! Thank you so much!

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

The geometric design at the edges also looks inspired by classical Greek art

Yes! the design is often referred to as Greek Key.

It is an interesting design for a beaded purse, and very nice.

 

[retro ruth]

It's not quite a true Greek key, which should include continuous line . Greek key is also called 'meander' or 'meandros' . But it's very similar, and people often do call this kind of geometric pattern Greek key - so I'd probably use it as a descriptor.

Agree it's a lovely purse!

 

[Catalpa_ave]

Yes! the design is often referred to as Greek Key.

It is an interesting design for a beaded purse, and very nice.

Thank you! I do see the pattern. Since my grandmother was Irish I assumed a Catholic or Loch Ness Monster when I saw the purse. It could be that this was her own mother’s or aunt’s. I’m going to dig through old photos.

 

[Catalpa_ave]

It's not quite a true Greek key, which should include continuous line . Greek key is also called 'meander' or 'meandros' . But it's very similar, and people often do call this kind of geometric pattern Greek key - so I'd probably use it as a descriptor.

Agree it's a lovely purse!

Thanks for the help. I haven’t quite decided what to do with it. As with all the things I’m finding I feel they should be cherished and enjoyed by those that appreciate them and not sit in a box somewhere. I think a collector would really cherish this but I do love it.

 

[Katarzyna]

it's not going to be much help, but maybe it can steer you in the right direction and research: there is a video on youtube by Doris Raymond from The Way We Wore exclusively on beaded bags. Apparently colours and type of beads (metal or glass) can help date them

 

[Catalpa_ave]

it's not going to be much help, but maybe it can steer you in the right direction and research: there is a video on youtube by Doris Raymond from The Way We Wore exclusively on beaded bags. Apparently colours and type of beads (metal or glass) can help date them

Thank you! I’ll definitely check it out, I would have thought to even look there.