Antique Purse
An antique purse brings tactile history to your hand, uniting precious metals, fine textiles and meticulous craftsmanship from past centuries.
Antique Purse
When you search for an antique purse, you encounter a diverse range of items including coin holders, sovereign cases, evening bags and cocktail purses spanning from the nineteenth century through the Art Deco era of the 1930s. The most common specimens on this page are Edwardian and Victorian sterling silver mesh designs, compacts, and leather-mounted companions.
Makers and workshops across Britain, continental Europe and beyond produced these pieces for daily utility and social occasions, incorporating regional traditions such as Persian tribal weaving or French chain link construction. Collectors meet everything from simple pocket coin cases to elaborate evening bags adorned with beads and silk.
The assortment reflects shifting social habits, transitioning from utilitarian sovereign cases used by gentlemen to decorative ladies evening bags and compacts designed for the twentieth century. Each object records the aesthetic preferences of its decade, shifting from Victorian ornamentation to clean geometric Art Deco lines.
Materials and Construction
Silversmiths utilised sterling silver and silver gilt for rigid frames, sovereign cases and flexible mesh purses, frequently applying engine turning, engraving or guilloché enamel for surface pattern. Leather, crocodile skin, python skin and silk provide body and lining for pouches and clutches.
Craftsmen joined tiny metal links to create supple chain mail and mesh fabrics that drape like fabric while maintaining metallic durability. Textile elements rely on careful stitching, petit point embroidery and beadwork secured to metal mounts.
Antique Purse Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for purse among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
The listings span from 1870 Victorian silver items to 1940 Art Deco pieces, incorporating leather, enamel, silk, glass, and brass.
Judging Quality
The distinction between standard items and exceptional pieces rests upon the crispness of the hallmark stamps, the complexity of the engraving or engine turning, and the integrity of delicate mesh links. Pieces featuring hand-applied guilloché enamel or fine petit point needlework demand higher levels of artisan skill.
Structural resilience in the hinges, clasps and internal linings separates utilitarian survivals from superior presentation items. Original fitted boxes and intact silk or suede interiors elevate the standing of a piece within its category.
Charles Penny Brown·Aaron Lufkin Dennison·John Collard Vickery·Henry Williamson·The Boots Company·Robert Cawley·G. Norman·Henry Charles Freeman·William Adams Ltd·Wright & Davies·Ludwig Krumm
The Antique Purse Glossary
- Guilloché enamel
- Enamel applied over a metal surface that has been machine-turned or engraved with a repetitive geometric pattern. This technique allows light to reflect through the translucent coloured glass.
- Sovereign case
- A small pocket container specifically sized to hold British gold sovereign coins securely. These cases often feature spring-loaded mechanisms for individual coin release.
- Petit point
- Needlepoint embroidery executed on a fine mesh canvas using tiny diagonal stitches. It permits intricate pictorial scenes to be rendered on evening purses.
- Engine turned
- A surface decoration technique where a geometric pattern is mechanically cut into metal using a lathe. It provides a tactile, light-catching finish on silver compacts and purses.
- Cocktail purse
- A small evening bag designed to hold minimal items during social events in the early twentieth century. They frequently feature chain link handles and metal frames.
Antique Purse: Frequently Asked Questions
What fits inside an antique purse?
These historical accessories were designed for smaller items than modern carryalls, typically accommodating coins, folded banknotes, calling cards or compact mirrors.
Larger evening bags and clutches from the 1920s and 1930s provide slightly more room for small cosmetics, whereas sovereign cases are strictly sized for specific gold coinage.
How do I care for silver mesh?
Silver mesh requires gentle handling to prevent individual rings from catching on clothing or bending under pressure. Store the piece flat or supported in a dust-free environment rather than hanging it by the chain.
Avoid harsh chemical dips that strip the natural patina and can damage delicate silk or leather linings attached to the metal frame.
How do I date an antique purse?
British silver pieces carry hallmark stamps that record the assay office, standard of silver, and a specific date letter corresponding to the year of manufacture. Maker marks alongside these stamps identify the firm responsible for the piece.
Stylistic cues such as Art Deco geometric motifs, Edwardian filigree, or Victorian repoussé work help place unmarked continental or textile items within their correct decade.
Can I use an antique evening bag today?
Many sturdy cocktail purses and leather clutches remain entirely functional for occasional evening use, provided you respect their age and delicate construction. Checking the security of the clasp before stepping out ensures your belongings stay secure.
Fragile beaded bags, delicate chain mail and antique silk linings benefit from gentle treatment and minimal weight to preserve their structural integrity for future generations.