Utterly charming tiny velvet metal frame purse, circa 1850. There’s a panel of plum velvet on both sides; applied wirework hearts set with cut steel beads decorate the front. The handle is delicately woven wire; purple fabric lines the inside and there’s a clever locking pocket. Pursed is marked on the interior with a museum catalog number. Good condition; velvet is worn and pushed in. Measures 3 ¼” by 2 1/8”.
Rare and wonderful late 19th century two-sided glass beaded purse, depicting an old style gondola and two gondoliers with the words “Ricordo di Venezia” (or “memory of Venice”). On the other side is a lovely village in pink, blue, yellow and white. In her Landmark book “More Beautiful Purse”, Evelyn Haertig pictures and mentions a similar, unusual purse. Wonderful condition: beading is bright and intact. Fringe is missing two strands; white cotton lining is somewhat soiled. Beaded handle i ...click for details
Glorious, richly colored antique microbeaded purse, featuring an elaborate urn with flowers amidst floral scrolls and borders. The beading on the body of the bag is perfect; all it needs is a great frame, new lining and new fringe to fulfill its grand promise. Measures a large 13” by 9 ½”; fringe adds 1 ½”.
Stunning antique glass and cut steel microbeaded reticule in an unusual teardrop shape. Design features a central floral medallion, surrounded by an our floral ring, which is in turn surrounded by violets. Snake chain handle; beaded tassel; white silk lining. Very good condition: streak of dirt to one side of bag (pictured); tassel is missing a few strands; lining is soiled in spots. Measures 8 ¼” by 5 ¾” (tassel adds 2 ¼”).
Amazing and rare antique microbeaded reticule depicting what look like Indonesian shadow puppets dancing in an abstract landscape of green, bronze, white and blue. Crochet header with silk cord handle. Taupe silk lining. Everything is in perfect condition except the matching fringe, which is missing two loops. Measures 5 ½” by 4” (including fringe).
Rare microbeaded figural purse depicting an elaborate stylized pagoda scene, in autumn colors of browns, oranges, greens and cream. Frame features blue stone clasp. Fabulous condition: beadwork and tassel are intact. Taupe silk lining is shattered in a few spots. Measures 6” by 5”; tassel adds 2 ½”.
Beautiful silk knitted miser purse, circa 1820. Striped zigzag pattern in brown, green, red, cream and white, with silk tassel ends. Good condition; one small hole. Brass rings. Marked with museum catalog number (it came from a museum deaccession). Measures 18” from tassel to tassel.
Absolutely fabulous antique microbeaded purse, depicting a profusion of lilacs in purples, pinks and white. The purse features a lilac colored border, and lilac-tipped crystal fringe. The beading is perfect; lining is a rather crude replacement or white silk. Measures 10 ½” (including fringe) by 7 ¼”.
Gorgeous turn of the century hand embroidered and stitched Chinese silk purse, with green bracelet handles. The satin stitch embroidery depicts a bird, standing amid what look like waves, surrounded by flowers; there are bats in the sky! The piece is stitched in pastel colors on black silks and attached to heavy bracelet handles (probably glass) by metallic thread loops. Lined in blue silk – it’s a beautiful piece. Very good condition; some soiling to lining. Measures 7 ½” square, not inc ...click for details
Beautiful turn of the century cut steel beaded purse, in a gorgeous pastel abstract floral design. The purse is probably French, and features a plunge-and-pull-tab clasp and goldtone frame. Lovely original pink silk lining. Good condition; some bead loss (separation) under the hinges and at the top near the frame on one side; but seems stable. One side is brighter than the other. Measures 8 ¼” by 6 ¾”.
