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Antique Edwardian Art Nouveau Gunmetal Chainmail Mesh Evening Bag – Handmade Early 1900s
A beautiful and authentic early 20th-century Edwardian metal mesh evening bag, weighing approximately 236 grams and showcasing the extraordinary craftsmanship of antique chainmail purse making.
Before machine production became widespread in the 1920s, finely made metal mesh purses were produced with remarkable hand craftsmanship. Thousands of tiny metal rings were individually linked and worked together to create the flexible mesh "fabric" of the bag. This labor-intensive construction required considerable skill and patience, giving these antique purses a character and quality that is difficult to reproduce today.
This example features a stunning dark gunmetal-gray mesh, an elegant fluid drape, and a distinctive scalloped zigzag fringe decorated with small metallic ball dangles. The ornate embossed Art Nouveau frame is beautifully detailed and finished with a classic double-ball kiss-lock clasp, which is fully functional.
There are a few very small areas across the mesh where individual rings have become disconnected, consistent with the age and history of an antique bag of this period. These areas are minor and discreet and are not readily noticeable during normal viewing. The main body of the mesh and the decorative lower fringe remain beautifully preserved.
Considering that this purse is more than a century old, its overall survival is impressive. Antique mesh bags from this period are increasingly difficult to find, particularly examples retaining their original frame, intricate mesh construction, and decorative fringe.
Measurements:
• Weight: approximately 236 g
• Height: approximately 9 cm, measured without the kiss-lock mechanism
• Width: approximately 7.5 cm
A wonderful genuine antique handmade mesh evening bag, full of Edwardian elegance and historical character. A beautiful addition to an antique handbag collection, Art Nouveau collection, or display of early 20th-century fashion accessories.
