Edwardian Silver Bag
An edwardian silver bag is a portable receptacle of precious metal, carrying the elegance of early twentieth-century social life.
Edwardian Silver Bag
The edwardian silver bag encompasses an array of refined receptacles designed for evening wear and social calls during the early twentieth century. You will encounter forms ranging from flexible mesh evening purses to structured coin purses and cocktail purses.
Many examples combine sterling silver frames with delicate glass beads, fabric, or crocodile skin, reflecting the stylistic shifts from Victorian opulence through Art Nouveau fluidity into George V classicism. These accessories served as essential companions for holding coinage, calling cards, and small personal items during public outings.
The selection bridges late nineteenth century craftsmanship and the geometric tendencies of the 1920s, with pieces originating from British assay offices and continental workshops alike. Such objects capture the social rituals of an era defined by formal gatherings and elaborate attire.
Materials and Construction
Silversmiths utilised sterling silver and silver plate for the structural frames, clasps, and chain mail links that defined these accessories. These metal elements were frequently paired with supplementary materials such as crocodile skin, blue guilloche enamel, and woven fabric bodies.
Techniques ranged from fine chain link assembly and traditional repousse work to detailed petit point embroidery and enamel application. Hallmarks stamped into the metal record the assay office, year, and maker, providing a permanent record of the piece's origin.
Listings feature items spanning the late 19th century through the 1920s, incorporating sterling silver, glass beads, crocodile skin, and guilloche enamel.
Assessing Quality and Craftsmanship
Quality in these accessories rests on the dexterity of the metalwork, whether in the tightness of a silver mesh weave or the crispness of repousse chasing on a frame. Superior examples display robust hinges, secure clasps, and well-preserved internal linings that withstand regular handling.
The inclusion of specialist artistic elements, such as hand-applied guilloche enamel or detailed pictorial scenes like chased musical vignettes, separates standard production items from bespoke creations. Maker attribution and legible hallmarks further elevate the standing of an individual piece.
John Collard Vickery·The Boots Company·Robert Cawley·G. Norman
The Edwardian Silver Bag Glossary
- Guilloche enamel
- Decorative metalwork covered with translucent enamel over an engine-turned background. This technique creates geometric patterns that shimmer beneath coloured glass surfaces.
- Cocktail purse
- A small evening bag intended for holding essentials during late-night social events. These pieces often feature flexible chain links or beaded bodies suitable for formal attire.
- Sterling silver
- An alloy comprising ninety-two point five percent silver and seven point five percent other metals, usually copper. This composition provides the durability required for functional items like purse frames.
- Repousse
- A metalworking technique where the smith hammers the design from the reverse side to form a raised relief on the front. It allows for intricate pictorial scenes and floral motifs on silver frames.
- Chain mail
- Flexible fabric constructed from interlocking metal rings. In these accessories, silver chain mail forms a fluid, draped pouch that moves with the user.
Edwardian Silver Bag: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean an edwardian silver bag?
Maintenance requires gentle dusting with a soft cloth to protect delicate elements like enamel, fabric, or beads. Avoid abrasive polishes that might wear away thin silver plating or damage historic hallmarks.
Store the bag in a dry environment away from direct sunlight to prevent tarnish and degradation of organic components like crocodile skin.
What were these bags used for originally?
These accessories held small daily necessities such as coins, calling cards, smelling salts, and mirrors. They functioned as status symbols during formal evening excursions and social visits.
The fitted interiors and secure clasps ensured that personal items remained safe while complementing the wearer's attire.
How can I tell the period of a silver purse?
Hallmarks stamped into the silver frame provide the exact assay office and year of manufacture. Stylistic indicators, such as organic Art Nouveau curves or geometric Art Deco lines, also point to specific decades.
Materials like blue guilloche enamel or specific weaves of silver mesh frequently align with manufacturing trends of the early 1900s.
Are these silver bags fragile to handle?
While the sterling silver frames are robust, the attached mesh, fabric linings, and beaded bodies require mindful handling. The flexible nature of chain mail means it should not be pulled or strained.
Gentle use preserves the structural integrity of the hinges, clasps, and delicate decorative elements over time.