Vintage Silver Evening Bag
These vintage silver evening bag examples combine period metalwork and delicate mesh for formal gatherings.
Vintage Silver Evening Bag
A vintage silver evening bag spans several distinct periods, including Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco designs. Buyers searching this phrase encounter ornate metal mesh, chain link, and crocodile skin accessories.
The forms range from petite French cocktail purses to George V silver purses and solid silver coin holders. Many examples incorporate fabric linings or intricate blue guilloché enamel details.
Origins stretch across British assay offices and continental workshops, reflecting the shifting tastes of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Materials and construction
Makers utilised sterling silver, standard silver, and metal alloys alongside supple crocodile skin and fabric to construct these evening bags. Chain mail and flexible mesh construction required meticulous linking of individual silver rings.
Enamelling techniques such as blue guilloché added colourful geometric or organic patterns to metal surfaces, complemented by glass beads and brass fittings.
Vintage Silver Evening Bag Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for vintage 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.
Some purses hold secret musical themes or tiny engraved lessons, blending practicality with Victorian whimsy.
Assessing quality
The distinction between ordinary and superior pieces rests on the precision of the metal mesh links and the crispness of repoussé ornamentation. Engraved scenes, such as pastoral vignettes, demand greater skill than plain polished surfaces.
Hallmarks and import marks provide clear indicators of origin and silver standard, distinguishing marked British and continental pieces from unmarked metal work.
John Collard Vickery·The Boots Company·Robert Cawley·G. Norman·William Adams Ltd
The Vintage Silver Evening Bag Glossary
- Guilloché enamel
- Enamel applied over a metal surface that has been engraved with a repetitive decorative pattern. This technique creates translucent waves of colour beneath the glassy surface.
- Silver mesh
- A flexible textile-like fabric woven from tiny interlocking silver rings or stamped metal plates. It drapes fluidly and formed the body of many evening purses.
- Hallmark
- An official stamp applied to precious metals indicating the purity, maker, and assay office. British pieces typically show a series of small stamped symbols.
- Repoussé
- A metalworking technique where the artisan hammers the design from the reverse side to form a raised relief on the front. It brings depth to pictorial scenes on purse frames.
Vintage Silver Evening Bag: Frequently Asked Questions
What periods do these evening bags cover?
The pieces span the Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco eras, extending from the nineteenth century through the 1940s.
Design styles shifted from ornate floral motifs to geometric modernist lines as the decades progressed.
How do I care for silver mesh?
Store silver mesh bags flat in anti-tarnish bags to prevent the delicate links from kinking or tangling under pressure.
Avoid liquid dips that can damage fabric linings or enamel work, preferring gentle dusting with a soft cloth.
Are all these bags made of solid silver?
Materials vary across the selection, including sterling silver, plated metal, and mixed components like crocodile skin or brass.
Checking the interior frames and clasps for hallmarks helps determine the exact metal composition of each piece.
What is a cocktail purse?
A cocktail purse is a small evening accessory designed to hold minimal items like coins and lipstick during formal events.
They often feature short chain handles or finger rings suited for holding while standing in social settings.