Purse
Artist
Gorham Manufacturing Company
(American, founded 1831)
Date1875-1920
MediumSilver, beads, silk
DimensionsOverall: 6 1/8 x 6 1/4in. (15.6 x 15.9cm)
ClassificationsPERSONAL ARTIFACTS
Credit LineProctor Collection
Terms
Object numberPC. 716.3
DescriptionBeaded purse with roses on brown background with silver hardware; fringe.On View
Not on viewCollections
Copyright<a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0" src="https://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc/4.0/80x15.png" /></a><br />This work is licensed under a <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License</a>.
Label TextAs a high end fashion accessory commercially produced, beaded purses have enhanced American women’s fashion since the 1820s. Floral designs are typical and a bag can be dated by the shape, size and the placement of the design. In the early twentieth century, beaded bags with ornate frames became the latest fashion. Heavily embellished, enameled, and engraved frames to which the beaded purses were attached were made of silver or sometimes nickel, ivory or even gold by other manufacturers who rarely marked their work. Gorham produced few purse frames, making this labeled example uncommon.
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