Silver Evening Purse
A silver evening purse holds small essentials with elegance, bringing period artistry and precious metal to social occasions.
Silver Evening Purse
A silver evening purse is a small accessory designed for social gatherings, encompassing forms such as cocktail purses, evening bags, and coin purses. When exploring this selection, buyers encounter pieces originating from the Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco periods, alongside George V and George VI eras.
The objects span from the late nineteenth century into the nineteen-forties, frequently combining precious metal frames with flexible bodies. Styles range from plain polished surfaces to elaborate Art Nouveau motifs and intricate petit point panels.
How they were made
Makers utilised sterling silver and standard silver for frames, chains, and mesh structures, often pairing the metal with glass beads, fabric linings, or crocodile skin. Continental examples incorporate blue guilloché enamel applied directly to the metal substrate.
Chain mail and chain link constructions required meticulous linking of tiny metal rings to create fluid, flexible pouches. Engraved decoration, repoussé scenes, and imported hallmarks establish the precise manufacturing origins and assay offices of each piece.
The archive records George V mesh purses alongside nineteenth-century petit point evening bags and imported cocktail purses.
What varies in quality
Quality rests in the weight and integrity of the silver framework, the tightness of the chain mail or mesh weave, and the crispness of any engraved or repoussé detail. Superior examples maintain intact hinges, secure clasps, and well-preserved internal linings without structural distortion.
The refinement of decorative elements, such as hand-painted guilloché enamel or finely stitched petit point panels, separates standard production items from masterwork accessories. Clear hallmarks and maker marks provide additional confirmation of high-grade workshop execution.
John Collard Vickery·The Boots Company·Robert Cawley·G. Norman·William Adams Ltd·Henry Matthews·Gorham
The Silver Evening Purse Glossary
- Guilloché enamel
- Decorative technique involving precise mechanical engraving beneath translucent enamel layers. This method produces intricate geometric patterns visible through coloured glass.
- Chain mail
- Flexible fabric constructed from interlocking metal rings. It forms the draped, tactile body of many cocktail purses.
- Repoussé
- Metalworking method where the artisan hammers the design from the reverse side to create raised relief ornament. It frequently adorns nineteenth-century frames.
- Petit point
- Highly detailed embroidery executed on single-thread canvas using tiny stitches. It creates pictorial scenes on Victorian evening bags.
- Hallmark
- Official stamp guaranteeing the purity of the precious metal. These marks indicate the assay office, maker, and year of testing.
Silver Evening Purse: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a silver evening purse used for?
These compact accessories were created to hold small personal items such as coins, cards, and powder compacts during social events. Their delicate construction makes them better suited to light evening use than heavy daily carrying.
Today, collectors appreciate them both as historical fashion accessories and as portable examples of period silversmithing.
How do I date a silver evening purse?
Dating relies heavily on the hallmarks stamped onto the silver frame, which indicate specific assay offices and production years. Stylistic clues, such as Art Nouveau curves or Art Deco geometry, also point to distinct decades.
Comparing the closure mechanism and textile components helps narrow the period of manufacture between the late nineteenth century and the mid-twentieth century.
Are silver mesh purses fragile?
Mesh and chain link structures offer flexibility but require careful handling to prevent individual links from catching or distorting. The metal components are durable, yet the connection points between the frame and the mesh need gentle treatment.
Storing the purse flat or supported prevents undue stress on the flexible body.
How do I care for antique silver evening purses?
Maintaining the metal requires minimal intervention using a soft cloth to remove tarnishing without damaging delicate engravings or enamel work. Contact with moisture and cosmetics should be avoided to protect fabric linings and leather elements.
Keeping the piece in a dry, dark environment preserves both the silver lustre and any attached textiles.