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FEATURE: DECO PURSES

Purses come in almost as many styles, colors and sizes as women do themselves! And women enjoy them in different way as well. Some like the materials they from which they are made, some the way their colors set off an outfit, and some for all the little fittings inside. Pouches in which to carry necessities may go back as far or farther even than clothing. Whether they are home or factory made, carried in the hand or over a shoulder, expensive or roughly crafted, they are a wonderful indication of a womans personal style.

While mesh bags were hand made in the 1800s, the invention of the mesh making machine in 1909 made them more readily available. There are many types of mesh, some of which are: ring mesh; Dresden mesh; baby mesh; fish scale mesh; and enameled mesh. Mesh bags are still made and used today.

To buy these wonderful purses for your collection, please CLICK HERE.

We have a page of photos from the 1932 "Denver Jewelers Buying Guide" that are great fun to see HERE.

MY FAVORITE SPECIAL PURSES

My all-time favorite 20th century purses are the ones made for Joseff with fabulous Hobe rhinestone frames. The wonderful unfoiled stones set in Hobes typical hand made wire work are such a treasure. Circa 1940-50s, they are not easy to find any more, but are wonderful additions to any purse collection when you do find them.

If you would enjoy a Hobe purse in your own collection, they can be purchased at Morning Glory Jewelry.

Another great favorite is the Victorian cut steel purse, some of which can be seen HERE. Cut steel is hand done and reflects light in such a beautiful way. The cut steel was used both as an ornamentation and as the entire body of a cut steel beaded purse.

The purses I often really use are the Arts & Crafts leather purses, circa 1930, similar to the ones we sell HERE. Many good leather working companies made them including Meeker, Bosca, Justin and Cordova, among others. 


To see the wide variety of purses as inspiration for a collection, we also share pieces we have had in the past in our gallery HERE.

One of my very favorite books on vintage purses is available on Amazon. It is Evelyn Haertigs "More Beautiful Purses".