Birmingham Silver Purse
When searching for a birmingham silver purse, collectors discover intricately crafted accessories that unite precious metal with period design.
Birmingham Silver Purse
A birmingham silver purse encompasses a range of pocket accessories, from small coin holders to cocktail purses and purse mirrors originating from the Midlands assay office. The Edwardian and George V periods supply the majority of examples seen here, often featuring embossed decoration or polished sterling surfaces.
Makers also produced specialised iterations such as sovereign cases and dance purses alongside leather and crocodile skin combinations. These portable items reflect the changing social habits of the late Victorian era through to the Art Deco epoch.
Materials and Construction
Silversmiths formed these accessories using sterling silver sheet, frequently employing embossing or engine-turned guilloche enamel for exterior decoration. Leather, crocodile skin, and glass internal compartments provided structure and utility within the metal frames.
Specialised workshops incorporated vitreous enamel panels in shades of blue or green, secured alongside hinged clasps and delicate link chains for evening wear.
Listings feature sterling silver combined with crocodile leather, vitreous enamel, and glass across Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco periods.
Factors of Quality
The distinction between standard items and superior pieces rests upon the crispness of the silversmith's chasing and the complexity of the mounted materials. Enamel preservation and the structural integrity of internal leather or silk linings also define the upper tier of surviving examples.
Charles Penny Brown·Henry Williamson·The Boots Company·Henry Matthews·Samuel M. Levi·Ludwig Krumm·Joseph Gloster·William Neale
The Birmingham Silver Purse Glossary
- Guilloche enamel
- A decorative technique involving precise mechanical patterns engraved beneath a translucent coloured enamel layer. This method was widely favored on Art Deco purse mirrors.
- Sovereign case
- A small pocket container engineered to hold British gold sovereign and half-sovereign coins securely. Many examples feature double compartments with spring-loaded mechanisms.
- Cocktail purse
- A compact evening accessory designed to hold small essentials during social gatherings. These pieces often incorporate short carrying chains and tailored interior pockets.
- Sterling silver
- An alloy consisting of ninety-two point five percent silver by mass, with the remainder composed of copper or other metals. Birmingham pieces carry hallmarks confirming this standard.
Birmingham Silver Purse: Frequently Asked Questions
What periods do these silver purses come from?
The pieces span from the late Victorian era through the Edwardian period and the George V years, extending into Art Deco designs of the nineteen twenties and thirties.
Assay office records and maker marks stamped directly into the sterling silver help date each specific accessory reliably.
How were silver cocktail purses used?
Owners carried these compact metal accessories to evening events and social functions to hold coins, cards, and small cosmetic items.
They frequently suspended from the wrist by fine silver chains or fitted securely inside evening bags.
Are the interior linings original?
Many surviving pieces retain their original leather, crocodile skin, or fabric components fitted tightly within the sterling frames.
Natural ageing occurs in these organic materials over decades of handling and use.
How do I identify a Birmingham hallmark?
Birmingham items traditionally display an anchor symbol alongside the lion passant indicating sterling standard and a specific date letter.
Additional maker initials reveal the exact workshop responsible for crafting the silver mount.