This is a lovely antique beaded bag. It dates to the early 20th century, probably the Edwardian era or early 1920s - when these darker colours were more fashionable.
It has beautiful tiny glass bead work and a most unusual shape.
The bag is now an antique item - and certainly a very collectable one.
The beads are mainly tiny glass ones on the main body section - filling in every space of the base textile. The patterns are also all picked out with tiny beads - a large red bow is depicted on each side. Below the bottom section is a floral design of yellow and green flowers - and all edged with blue beads - the sides of the bag all around are also lined with tiny blue glass beads.
Both sides of the bag are identical. The bag is in good condition with no obvious or major losses to the beadwork.
The clasp is a very early black celluloid / plastic material. It has an arched shape - and opens up to a large flat oval shape, as photographed. The outside part of the clasp is decorated with a raised (and very tiny) Edwardian / Art Nouveau scrolling floral decoration. On one side near the clasp - there is a little arched semi-circle of tiny inset diamante or clear crystal chips. The hinges of the clasp are secure with no breaks etc.
The clasp opens by pressing down (gently!) on the raised faceted button on the top. The loops and fine hoops are still present for the original beaded handle. I can't believe that the handle rings have survived for nearly 100 years.
The bag inside is just as eye-catching as the exterior - it is lined with blue silk - a cornflower blue shade. This is nice and clean with no stains or tears. Around the edge where the interior lining meets the clasp - it is decorated with applied tiny embroidered blue and white flowers.
It never had any fringing along the bottom edge - this bag is sold just as made.
I have taken lots of images for your inspection, I hope they do this fine antique evening purse justice. This is really a bag for the more specialist collector of antique beadwork evening bags. It is probably more for hanging up for display than for everyday use. It requires respect!
The full length including the clasp (but not the button fastening) is 22 cm. The width is 19 cm and the two wing sections at the side are 18 cm. The overall length with the handle extended is 38cm.
I will cap UK Postage to you at £5.50 with Royal Mail Recorded - this will be applied to your order at the checkout.