Edwardian Evening Purse
An edwardian evening purse is a small accessory meant for holding coins or cosmetics, bringing tactile metal work and delicate textiles into modern use.
Edwardian Evening Purse
The edwardian evening purse category covers small bags and coin containers spanning from the late nineteenth century through the 1920s. Buyers searching for an edwardian evening purse encounter various styles, including mesh containers, chain mail cocktail bags, and petit point fabric designs.
Most examples originate from British and continental workshops, crossing several reigns and periods from Victorian times through Art Deco. Forms range from rigid silver frames with attached pouches to flexible mesh structures and fitted leather or crocodile skin bodies.
Materials and Techniques
Silversmiths constructed sturdy frames and mesh bodies from sterling silver, brass, and silver plate, often incorporating hallmarks for city assay offices and individual makers. Flexible components required intricate link construction, chain mail weaving, or fine metal strands.
Makers embellished surfaces with blue guilloché enamel, petit point embroidery, and textured leather panels such as crocodile skin. Textile pouches utilised durable fabrics secured to hinged metal mounts with integrated clasps.
Edwardian Evening Purse Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for edwardian evening 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.
A Victorian purse depicts The Music Lesson on its silver surface, proving that even a coin holder needed a touch of culture.
Quality and Construction
Construction standards depend on the integrity of the metal frames, the security of the hinge mechanisms, and the tightness of the mesh or chain links. Superior pieces retain intact enamel work, secure clasps, and original interior linings without structural distortion.
Artistry varies between mass-produced items and marked pieces bearing specific maker stamps and import marks. The finesse of engraved decoration on silver mounts and the uniformity of beadwork or stitching separate standard items from finer examples.
John Collard Vickery·The Boots Company·Robert Cawley·G Norman
The Edwardian Evening Purse Glossary
- Guilloché enamel
- A decorative technique involving precise engine-turned patterns beneath a translucent coloured enamel layer. This method appears on metal purse frames and compacts from the period.
- Chain mail
- Interlinked metal rings forming a flexible fabric used for evening bags and purses. This material provides fluid movement while maintaining metallic durability.
- Petit point
- A style of needlepoint embroidery executed on single-thread canvas using small tent stitches. It often depicts pictorial scenes on the panels of fabric purses.
- Assay office
- An official body that tests the purity of precious metals and stamps items with hallmarks. Marks from cities like Birmingham, Chester, and London indicate origin and date.
- Cocktail purse
- A small evening bag designed to hold minimal items during social events. These pieces typically feature short carrying chains and secure metal frames.
Edwardian Evening Purse: Frequently Asked Questions
What fits inside an edwardian evening purse?
These compact containers were designed for minimal personal items such as coins, small mirrors, and handkerchiefs. Modern use suits cards, keys, and lipstick rather than bulky everyday items.
Interior space depends on whether the body consists of flexible mesh or a rigid framed pouch. Fabric linings often include small pockets intended for specific small accessories.
How do I care for antique silver mesh?
Silver mesh requires gentle handling to prevent individual links from bending or catching on clothing. Storage in a soft pouch prevents unnecessary tension on the delicate chain structure.
Cleaning should avoid abrasive polishes that damage fine engraving or remove historical patina. Professional guidance helps preserve fragile fabric components attached to the metal frames.
How do I identify the date of a silver purse?
British silver pieces typically carry hallmarks indicating the assay office, standard of metal, and a date letter corresponding to a specific year. Examining these small stamped marks provides precise manufacturing information.
Stylistic elements like Art Nouveau curves or Art Deco geometry also assist in determining the period. Unmarked continental pieces rely on stylistic comparison and construction methods for dating.