Edwardian Silver Purse
An edwardian silver purse carries small coins and trinkets in polished metal and fitted leather, bringing practical elegance from the early twentieth century.
Edwardian Silver Purse
When searching for an edwardian silver purse, collectors encounter pocket accessories and evening carriers made primarily around the turn of the twentieth century. These items include compact coin holders, sovereign cases, card cases, and cocktail purses designed for formal or daily use.
The objects most frequently met on this page span the Edwardian period and adjacent years like George V and Art Nouveau, often displaying repoussé decoration, engraved scenes, or fitted leather interiors.
Makers utilised durable metals alongside organic textures such as crocodile skin to create items that slip easily into a pocket or suspend from a chain.
Materials and technique
Silversmiths shaped sterling silver and continental silver using pressing, repoussé, and chain link assembly methods to form rigid frames and flexible mesh bags.
Many designs combine solid silver mounts with exotic materials like crocodile leather or incorporate intricate blue guilloché enamel and glass beads.
Makers stamped hallmarks into the metal to record the assay office, standard of silver, and year of production.
Edwardian Silver Purse Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for edwardian silver 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.
Listings feature sterling silver, crocodile leather, and glass beads across Edwardian, Art Nouveau, and George V styles.
What separates the best
The distinction between standard items and superior examples lies in the crispness of the hand-repoussé work and the integrity of internal silk linings or leather fitted compartments.
Makers who invested time in detailed figurative scenes or delicate chain mail construction produced pieces that retain their structural form and visual clarity.
Charles Penny Brown·Aaron Lufkin Dennison·Willian Aitken·John Collard Vickery·The Boots Company·Robert Cawley·G. Norman·Henry Charles Freeman·Fredericks Ltd·S. Blanckensee And Sons·Ludwig Krumm·Sampson Mordan And Co·Henry Matthews·Gorham·Mappin And Webb
The Edwardian Silver Purse Glossary
- Hallmark
- Official stamps pressed into precious metal to indicate the assay office, silver standard, and year of manufacture. These small marks allow researchers to date pieces accurately.
- Sovereign case
- A small, rigid container engineered to hold British gold sovereign coins securely on a belt or in a pocket. They often feature spring-loaded mechanisms.
- Guilloché enamel
- Decorative metalwork covered with translucent enamel over an engine-turned geometric pattern. This technique adds depth and vibrant colour to silver accessories.
- Repoussé
- A metalworking technique where the smith hammers the silver from the reverse side to form raised relief designs on the front.
Edwardian Silver Purse: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a sovereign case?
A sovereign case is a small, hard container designed to hold gold sovereign coins securely in a pocket or on a watch chain.
They feature hinged lids and internal springs to keep the currency from rattling.
How were evening purses used?
Evening purses held coins, calling cards, and small cosmetic items during social calls and formal dinners.
Ladies often suspended them from slender silver chains or held them in the hand.
How do I care for silver mesh?
Silver mesh requires gentle handling to prevent individual links from catching on clothing or bending out of shape.
Store them flat in dry conditions and avoid harsh chemical dips that strip the aged patina.
How are hallmarks read?
Hallmarks consist of a series of small stamped symbols indicating the maker, assay office, and year of creation.
Reference books match these letters and shapes to specific towns like Birmingham, Chester, or London.