Edwardian Silver Evening Bag
An edwardian silver evening bag brings the refined elegance of the early twentieth century to life, offering a tactile accessory for formal gatherings.
Edwardian Silver Evening Bag
When you search for an edwardian silver evening bag, you encounter a selection of purses, coin purses, and cocktail bags spanning the late nineteenth century through to the nineteen-twenties. These accessories encompass styles ranging from Victorian and Edwardian to Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and George V.
The pieces listed on this page frequently take the form of compact evening purses and cocktail purses created in sterling silver and silver mesh, sometimes paired with materials such as glass beads, crocodile skin, fabric, and brass. Origins span British assay offices alongside continental workshops.
You are most likely to meet British hallmarked silver purses from Birmingham, Chester, and London, alongside continental chain link and mesh designs. The selection captures both delicate daytime carriers and glittering evening pieces.
What varies in quality
The weight and gauge of the silver set the baseline for quality, distinguishing substantial solid frames from lighter plated alternatives. Finer examples display crisp hallmarks, secure catches, and intact inner linings.
Artistry in decoration creates the upper tier of the range, visible in detailed repoussé scenes, precise guilloché enamel patterns, and finely woven chain mail or mesh that drapes fluidly.
Edwardian Silver Evening Bag Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for edwardian silver evening bag 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.
One Victorian silver purse immortalises a musical lesson in its repoussé metalwork scene, proving that even a coin purse had a story to tell.
John Collard Vickery·The Boots Company·Robert Cawley·G. Norman
The Edwardian Silver Evening Bag Glossary
- Guilloché enamel
- A decorative technique involving precise mechanical engraving beneath translucent enamel. This method produces intricate geometric patterns that catch the light.
- Assay mark
- A stamped symbol indicating the purity of the metal and the office where it was tested. British pieces typically show town marks, date letters, and the sterling standard lion.
- Chain mail
- Interlinked metal rings forming a flexible fabric. It was often utilised for evening purses to give a fluid, shimmering drape.
- Petit point
- A style of embroidery executed on fine canvas using tiny diagonal stitches. It allows for highly detailed pictorial scenes on purse panels.
- Repoussé
- A method of shaping metal by hammering from the reverse side to form raised designs. This gives texture and depth to the silver frame.
Edwardian Silver Evening Bag: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I date an antique silver purse?
Dating relies heavily on the hallmarks stamped onto the silver frame, which indicate the assay office and year of testing. Stylistic clues like Art Nouveau curves or Edwardian proportions also help narrow down the period.
Assay office marks from cities like Birmingham, Chester, and London provide precise markers for British items made around the turn of the twentieth century.
How were these evening bags used?
Original owners carried these compact purses to dinners, balls, and formal evening events to hold coins, handkerchiefs, or calling cards. Their petite size meant they were meant to be held in the hand or dangled from a wrist by a chain.
Many featured internal compartments or silk pouches designed specifically for keeping small items secure during transit.
How should I care for silver mesh and enamel?
Silver mesh and frames benefit from gentle cleaning with a soft cloth to maintain their lustre without damaging delicate links or hinges. Enamel sections require particular care to avoid harsh dips or abrasions.
Storing the purse in a dry, soft pouch protects the delicate metalwork and fabric linings from unnecessary wear when not on display.