PURSES, RETICULES and HANDBAGS
Needlepoint, Petit Point, Tapestry, Cut Steel, Miser's

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NEEDLEPOINT and PETIT POINT
Needlepoint and it's smaller-stitched cousin, petit point, are both worked on a canvas or cloth backing, as opposed to tapestry, in which the stitches themselves create the fabric. The images are created by tiny stitches and intricate coloring, and jeweled and enameled frames often add to the design. In the late 1800's and early 1900's, ladies "fancy work" included the making of needlepoint and beaded bags, and illustrations and directions could be found in ladies magazines of the time. These bags were also imported from Europe, especially Austria.

   PETIT POINT purse 9 inches long and 7-1/2" wide across the frame. Beautiful garden motif with many flowers and wonderful colors, the frame is multi-chrome enameling and the chain handle is decorated with glass beads. Inside lining is intact and accented with braided trim.  View   View   View    View    View   View  #P20987   

    AUSTRIA petit point evening bag in a floral motif with a central architectural cartouche and a  pink and white enameled frame accented with marcasites, 6-3/4" by 7-1/2". The lining is decorated with tiny ribbon flower edging. This purse is pictured in can be seen in Evelyn Haertig's "More Beautiful Purses" on page 61, plate 41.  View   View  View   View   View  #P20988

  REDISCH of NY 1930-40's petit point evening bag, black enamel and sterling frame, pheasants and flowers motif, 6" by 6-1/4" . There is one blue cabochon replaced on the clasp.  View   View   View   View   #P20989

    NEEDLEPOINT cream and brown striped mini purse with flowers, gold tone frame with blue and yellow rhinestones, 5" by 4-1/2" with 10" handle. Enclosed hand written note says, "Party bag Tante (Aunt) Margot made and gave me in Baden-Baden 1938".    View   View   View   View    #P26685

       BLACK petit point purse with colorful floral and leaf motif, 7" by 8". The silver floral and scroll embossed frame is intricate and lovely, with dolphin loops holding a 16" double chain handle.   View   View   View   View   View   #P26687

    NEEDLEPOINT tan and cream needlepoint purse with floral medallion and rhinestone frame, 6-1/2" by 6" . The beads on the handle may have been added later, 12".   View   View   View   #P26690

   TIFFANY 1930-40's petit point evening bag, enameled and sterling metal filigree, frame floral still life motif, 5-3/4" by 8-1/3".   View  View   View  #P20978

TAPESTRY, FABRIC & early LEATHER
Fabric bodied purses were often coordinated with richly jeweled and enameled frames. Some fabric used in these purses was older fabric being re-used, and some was designed especially for purses. Tapestry differs from needlepoint in that the stitches form the fabric, instead of being worked into a base fabric or canvas.

    CHINESE evening bag, beautifully colored embroidered silk cell with a netsuke style clasp, 7-1/8".   View   View    #P20983

    ASIAN bag, pattern silk chatelaine with a celluloid dragon toggle, 5-1/3" by 3-1/2".  View   View    View   View  #P20984

     ASIAN bag, embroidered knots chatelaine with celluloid dragon toggle, 5-1/2" by 3-1/2".  View   View   View   View  #P20985

 ASIAN embossed tinted leather bag with celluloid dragon toggle, 5-1/2" by 3-1/2".  View   View   View   View  #P20635

Close up of dragon toggle.

  ASIAN evening bag, colorful tooled leather, celluloid elephants Mt Fuji. Measures 7-1/8" wide.   View   View    View   View  #P20980

  VICTORIAN black leather purse with gold tone scrolled frame and Art Nouveau style lady center medallion, 6" by 6" with 10" handle, circa 1890.  View   View   View   View    View   #P26641

  BLACK velvet 7" by 5-1/2" purse with silver cherubs, flowers, dolphins 6" by 2" frame and 3" belt chatelaine with 3-1/2" chains, German, stamped 800 silver and dated 1880/90.  .   View   View   View   View   View   #P28879     

  ART NOUVEAU  leather purse, curved leather pouch with chased silver frame.  View    View  #P20964

         DEUTZ brown wool 7-1/2" by 8" purse with 2" wide gold tone frame, 2-3/4" detachable swan brooch, double chain 10" handle.   View   View   View   View   View   #P26705

ROSENFELT oval black suede bag with a center painted medallion depicting 18th century style couple mounted in an elaborate blue and turquoise enameled frame, 11" by 11", circa 1950. View  #P20991  

     ASIAN evening bag, processional on front, 8-1/3" by 6".  View   View   #P20981

 ASIAN evening bag, 5-1/2" by 3-2/3" tooled leather cloud & dragon motif.  View   View  #P20982

BEADED BAGS
Glass beads have decorated personal ornaments for hundreds of years, and the range of colors and designs is almost infinite. Floral, figural, scenic ... all are collectible. Most glass beads came from France, Italy, Czechoslovakia and Germany. Purses were made both professionally and as a home craft.

     BEADED 6-1/2" by 10-1/2" purse with red and pink roses on a black background with green and golden colored accents. Excellent condition with no flaws or missing beads on the outside,  but one 1-1/4" straight slit in the inside green lining.  Handle is 16". Approximately 14 beads to the inch.   View   View   #P22083

VICTORIAN Made in Germany glass beaded leaf motif purse in gorgeous colors, 5" by 9-1/4".   View   View   View   #P28878

  BEADED 6-3/4" by 11-5/8" purse with richly colored Persian rug designs. The frame is a fabulous black molded plastic cameo and flowers, and the handle is a layered multi-colored 16" plastic chain. The inside lining is original but frayed. Approximately 17 beads to the inch.  View   View    View   #P20175

FRENCH  multi colored glass beaded bag wreath pattern, 12" by 8". Interior lining has ribbon flower edging.   View  #P20966

  BEADED pouch purse with Christian imagery with a romantic handwritten World War I note from a soldier at the front inside dated 1918. This is 18 inches from top to bottom of fringe.  View   View   View   View    View   View   #P20960

  FRENCH  pouch bag with sterling frame and fine glass beads in purple grapes and vines motif on gold background, 7" by 12", clasp has amethyst-colored cabochons. View   View  #P20967

 PURSE black satin purse with sequins and artificial pearls, 5" by 3-1/2" by 1-1/2". The double handle is 16" long. Inside are mirrors, powder rouge and lipstick compartments, but no lipstick tube.  View   View   View   #P17449 

CUT STEEL BEADED BAGS
Shimmering subtle colors and intricate designs are the hallmark of these wonderful purses. Made in both Europe and the United States, they are usually framed in gilt base metal or plate. French cut steel bags are particularly desirable.
 

   STEEL beaded purse with basket motif and jeweled and enameled frame set with aqua cabochons and blue rhinestones. Purse body is 6-1/2" by 9". Lining is intact though very slightly soiled, and is trimmed with ribbon flowers. Included inside are a matching mirror and coin purse.   View    View    View    View   #P20422

  FRENCH glass beaded purse, pink and golden, 6" by 11", covered mirror inside.   View   View   View   #P28877

 MADE IN FRANCE  labeled fine carpet pattern aluminum beaded bag, early 20th century. The colors, design and quality are wonderful. Measures 6-3/4" by 11-3/4". Two bottom fringes are missing, and the inside lining is shredded.  View   View   View   View  #P20965       

  PURSE cut steel bead purse with double chain strap, 5-1/4" by 7".   View   View   View      #P28491

   FRENCH  steel cut beaded carpet pattern bag, 4" by 6-2/3".  View   View   #P20970

    PURSE steel metallic beaded purse in silver and gold beads with green accents, lining as is, 4-1/2 by 6-1/2".   View  View   View   #P16678A

   CHATELAINE PURSE Marked "F&N Co" inside., with a silver plated frame, silver faceted beads and a leather back, originally worn on a chatelaine, circa 1900, 5" by 8". A purse almost identical to this can be seen in Roseann Ettinger's "Handbags" on page 32 and in Evelyn Haertig's "More Beautiful Purses" on page 136.   View   View   View   #P20992       

   GORHAM sterling purse chatelaine, 2-1/8".   View   View   View    Purse shown with belt clip attached. #a24991

 PURSE Art Nouveau frame circa 1900 steel cut bead round purse with fringe as is, 6-1/2" with 6" chain, lady face belt chatelaine, 2". A similar purse can be seen in Roseann Ettinger's "Handbags" on page 32 and in Evelyn Haertig's "More Beautiful Purses" on page 136.   View   View   View   View   #P28603   

VICTORIAN ladies and chatelaine their purses.  View

FRENCH  cut steel square pouch with basket design, geometric and lattice border. View  #P20969

   LADY with wide brimmed hat, umbrella and purse.

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