What is this mystery bag?

[Vintage Detective]

Hi,
I’m trying to find more information about this purse. It has a little mirror inside and the “pocket” of the compact still has face powder inside!
I’m also wondering what the little loop on top was for. Is it to wear on a belt? It’s too small to wear on the wrist.
I’ve never never seen anything like it and my Google research has been fruitless. I’m desperate and my next step is to stop random old ladies on the street to ask if they’ve seen anything like it!
Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
-Tanya

 

[Jonathan]

I suspect the loop is to put your gloves through so they don't get lost.

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

It may also be a style of what used to be called a dance purse. You slipped 1 finger through the loop to hold it while dancing. Very popular in the 1920s 30s and into the 40s.

 

[poppysvintageclothing]

I agree an evening bag...I see 1930s and the S would have been the owners monogram. Those look like marcasites on the S.

 

[anothertimevintageapparel]

I agree 1930s and the concept of a dance purse.

 

[Elle Miles]

Not 100% sure this a 20s advertisement but the styles of the bags look similar to yours in my opinion.

 

[Vintage Detective]

Oh lovely! Which newspaper is this from?

 

[Elle Miles]

I am unsure!

 

[Vintage Detective]

No worries, thanks anyway! It’s very helpful

 

[Lady Scarletts]

I sure it is called a dance purse.

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

While the bags in that ad are lovely, they are not really the same style, although a few are somewhat similar (but larger as the whole hand can pass through the loop).

Also, are you sure that ad is from the 1920s? To me the bags look post 1920s.

 

[Elle Miles]

I’m not sure, I just thought some of the bags looked similar. No means to offend anyone, just looked similar to me.

 

[Elle Miles]

Not 100% sure this a 20s advertisement but the styles of the bags look similar to yours in my opinion.

^^ Not sure it’s a 20s ad

 

[lkranieri]

Oh lovely! Which newspaper is this from?

The bottom of the page says "Use Wards convenient monthly payment plan..." so I assume it is from a Montgomery Ward catalog.

 

[MagsRags]

No means to offend anyone

No worries, Elle! Part of the fun is noticing and comparing details or scoring new information while doing research. I've been a VFG member for more than 15 years. and I still learn new things here all the time.

 

[Elle Miles]

No worries, Elle! Part of the fun is noticing and comparing details or scoring new information while doing research. I've been a VFG member for more than 15 years. and I still learn new things here all the time.

Thank you! I thought I was in trouble haha! Just making sure everyone’s happy

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

What Maggie said goes for me too!

 

[GemGem]

I have had a couple of similar fabric bags in satin and silk with that same loop detail. Both were dated 1930’s

 

[Ranch Queen Vintage]

This image is from the Winter 1926-27 Montgomery Ward catalogue.
My guess is that Elle's examples are from the mid to late 1930s.