Featured Sow's Ears into.....Beaded Purses?

Well, maybe not. These are some beaded purses that I bought for Ms. G for Mother's Day. I was told that they are from the 1890s or so. Do you agree? Whatever the year, the beadwork is amazing, even to these unschooled eyes And the condition.....wowzer!

The second two are particularly large, and enhanced with little (glass) jewels and cameos. The last shot shows them on their new home, a Berkey & Gay hall tree that appears in their 1880 catalog.

Please chime in if you know anything about these pieces.Thanks!!!

 

Beautiful!

 

Isn't there someone here who collects these?
Very pretty

 

They are just beautiful! Great gift! My fave is the one with the jester on it.

 

I think @Ownedbybear collects these.

I really don't know ages on this kind of thing too much, might have thought they were more 1920s, but absolutely wait for others.

Stunning bags!

 

Very pretty! What a lucky gal!

I'd beg a closer look at the cameo. From here she looks more 20th c.but hard to see.

 

Nice find.....instant collection !!

 

Beautiful gift, and all in good condition.
I am no expert, but to me the first one is 1890s, the second 1910s, and the last one 1920s.

Am I right in thinking the first one is enameled metal mesh, rather than beaded?

 

Yes, I believe you’re right about the mesh.
Thanks for your opinion regarding age. I know you to be reliable, and I’m fine with those dates.

 

The internet identifies the first as Mandalian but I can't confirm that. And, interestingly, I see iterations of the beaded floral on simpler framers, with a curved bottom and with/without fringe. Must have been a popular pattern.

Debora

 

We know how you feel about symmetry. So we fully expect this post to be updated when you find that fourth purse to add

 

@Ghopper1924 you are hereby the official husband of the year.

 

It is to blush…….

 

I concur on the dates. If I was ready to break up my collection I'd sell you one for a very reasonable price. How soon are you looking? I really should start deaccessioning. I have a lovely one with a peacock on it.

 

Lovely bags, in beautiful condition, by form and with those fancy jeweled frames, believe they're all most likely circa 1920s, the enameled armor mesh is definitely no earlier, with the tiny diagonally set plates, it's almost certainly Mandalian rather than Whiting & Davis...

~Cheryl

 

Seconded. I didn't see any Victorian ones in the lot, but 1910s and 1920s would fit. @Ownedbybear is the collector, but she hasn't been on in a while.

 

Watch out, if @Ownedbybear sees this she may try to snatch them!

 

She's active on another site, so she's OK, just not talking here.