Lovely Hand-Crocheted Shell Design Purse with Carved Dragon Celluloid or Bone Frame - Like New!

I just came across this wonderful little hand-crocheted shell design purse in my collection where I had packed it away since buying it in a local estate sale back in 1999!!!  It is absolutely gorgeous and is in like-new condition.  The frame is either carved bone or celluloid (the clasp is celluloid but I honestly can't say what the frame itself is made of).  It is intricately carved in dragons and flowers on both sides.  The purse is VERY clean and is ivory colored ... the darker areas on the photos are simply shadows, not soil as it is perfect in every way.  The inside is lined in an ivory silk and is also in like-new condition.  The handles are single crochet.  This is just a delightful little purse and would be totally usable if you dare! :-)  It measures almost 8" wide across the bottom x about 6" from clasp to bottom.  The frame is 7" wide x 1-1/8" high x about 3/8" thick (both sides together). 

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Sweet Little Miser's Purse with Steel-Cut Beads and Double Fringe

Dating from the 1800's, this little hand-stitched bag (stitches are so small I cannot tell if it is crochet or knit) was the epitome of fashion at one time.  The design of these was two-sided ... one for paper currency and one for coins.  They often had a ring slide or two in the center which held the individual sides closed.  I don't believe this one ever had those as the design of the purse itself holds it closed.  You see, the multiple strands that connect the two purse sections are woven through the purse flaps and into the body of the purses.  When you lift the flaps, you pinch the front of the purse and give it a gentle tug.  This slides the purse open along the strands and enables you to reach inside that way.  When the flap is placed back down and the strands tugged tight, the purse is closed securely.  Each side has a distinctive design ... one with a "v" fringed flap and tassel bottom, the other with a rectangular fringed flap and fringed squared off bottom.  It is in excellent condition throughout with no damage and no rust on any of the beads.  It is a superb example of this style of purse. Tasseled purse measures 3" wide x 4-1/2" long plus 2" tassel.  The fringed purse measures 3" wide x 4-1/2" long plus 1/2" fringe.  The strands between the purses are 6" long.

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Beautiful Village Church Micro-Petitpoint Scenic Purse - Subtle Design Variations

This lovely scenic village church purse is done in the tiniest of micro-petitpoint stitches and is atypical in the large size ... it measures 9-1/2" long!  Each side depicts a village church across a winding country road with a bridge over a river.  The differences are subtle but I will try to point out the main ones:  on the front, the church steeple has a cross in the window which is not on the back; the cloud formations are completely different; the mountains and riverbanks are totally different colors and designs; the river and foreground (road as well in front) are different colors.  I am sure there are many more but these are just a few of the more obvious.  The frame is richly embossed with flowers on both sides which are duplicated in the long handle. And swans hold the handle on either side.  Original silk lining in peach is in excellent condition with two ruched pockets and an original matching mirror (mirror does have age foxing).  Although the purse is not marked or signed, I would guess it to be made in Austria in the first quarter of the last century.  It is in excellent condition throughout and is a real prize!  Measures6-1/2" wide at frame x 7-1/2" wide at bottom of purse x 9-1/2 " high (not counting chain handle).

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Victorian Leather Purse with Ornate Filigreed Frame

This is a darling little leather purse with a very ornate filigreed frame.  Everything on it is original including the matching leather handle.  Both sides of the frame are the same and the body of the purse is gathered to give it a puffy appearance.  The interior lining is original but is mostly shattered.  It comes with the original matching beveled mirror which has considerable foxing as would be age appropriate ... after all, this purse is well over 100 years old, more like 125 or so.  With the exception of the lining, the rest of the purse is in excellent condition.  The leather is very soft and supple, not at all brittle or hard, and feels wonderful in the hand.  It is unmarked.  Measures 6-1/2" wide at widest point of purse x 6" high to top of clasp (not counting 6-1/2" long handle).

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"For the Woman Who has Everything" Stocking Purse in Original Box --- You Gotta Love this one! Dated 1956

Obviously a gag gift, this is a really cute actual hose stocking attached to a purse frame with a ruffly pink garter around it.  The lid of the box says "For the Woman Who has EVERYTHING" and is dated 1956.  Inside is a card which continues the thought and reads "For the Woman Who has EVERYTHING and Now A Place in Which to 'Sock-it-Away'."  The back side of the card insert reads "Another Novelty Gift Item Made by The Leister Game Company, 9 N. St. Clair St., Toledo 4, Ohio.  Copyright 1956".  The box has some water stains and lower left corner of lid is split but other than that everything is in very good condition.  The box measures 6-5/8" x 4-3/4" x 1" high.  Purse is 5" wide at frame and stocking is 38" long.  Be sure to see all the pics!

Note: Due to low value and size of this item, we will ship it via Priority Mail without signature instead of UPS to save on shipping costs.

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Double Figural Petitpoint Purse with Fancy Jeweled Frame Featuring Marie Antoinette on the Front and Birds on the Back

This is a very interesting figural micro-petitpoint purse which features a vignette of Marie Antoinette on the front surrounded by blue forget-me-nots and roses around this.  On the reverse side, the flowers are the same but the vignette features a pair of lovely birds.  The frame on this purse is done in tiny seed pearls and lapis jewels even on the drop pendant (there is one tiny lapis stone missing on the clasp but the rest are all there.  Now for the condition:  at a glance it looks perfect but there are several areas of missing petitpoint mostly around the perimeter. I have taken several close-ups of these spots and I will warn you they look MUCH worse in the magnified shots than they do in person.  It is a great purse for display and the underlying fabric is intact so the holes aren't that distracting at all.  Interior lining is also in good shape. Measures 4-3/4" wide at frame x 5-3/4" wide at widest point on body of purse x 5-1/2 " high (not counting chain handle).

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Figural Petitpoint Purse with Jeweled Frame

This is a very unusual figural petitpoint purse with a jeweled frame. The body of the purse is black and the figures are in a center vignette surrounded by a flowered border. Colors of the figures are blue, pink, beige, browns, golds, green, and purple. Pink and blue flowers with green vines surround the center. The sides and bottom panels have pink flowers. Both sides are the same; frame is only jeweled on one side. Interior is lined and is in excellent condition. In fact, entire body of purse is in perfect condition with no damage. However, the frame is missing two jewels on either end and the center jewel is chipped off ... I would imagine these would be relatively easy to replace. The black stone in the clasp is perfect. Measures 5-3/4" wide at frame x 8" high.

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Figural Petitpoint Purse with Filigreed Frame ~ Made in Germany ~

Here is an adorable petitpoint purse with a figural scene. A finely dressed coupole stands on a veranda overlooking lush gardens and a gazebo off in the distance. Two large columns with urns atop can be seen on either side of the veranda with flowers draping over the walls. In the lower right hand of the veranda, you can see a little white dog (you will need to look at enlarged photos to see him). Both sides have the same scene and the ornately filigreed frame is the same on both sides as well. The interior of the purse has two linings ... one of gold silk which is totally shattered and the other is a heavier lining to protect the fine stitching. I have removed the shattered gold lining except for the ruffled trim which can be used again if someone wants to replace the silk. Frame is marked "Germany". Measures 6" wide at frame x 7-1/2" wide at bottom x 7" high including clasp.

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TICKLED PINK! Darling Fuchsia Roaring 20's Feather Purse with Hair Ornaments! ~ Made in France ~

This is the most adorable little purse you will ever see and it has a GREAT story with it! One afternoon in our store, a well-dressed elderly lady came in selling some of her treasures. Amongst them was this little purse which, at first glance, I didn't think was that old. Upon talking to her, she told us she was 93 years old - she didn't look a day over 60! She was born in 1912 and she carried this purse when she was a teenager to a dance. She was describing the lovely dress she wore that matched the purse and she "even had little feathery matching hair ornaments". When I opened the purse to look inside and found the hair ornaments -- or what was left of them -- inside, she giggled, "Oh my goodness! There they are!" She was so excited to see them still tucked inside. She was just the cutest lady ... so the purse dates from the 1920's. The inside gives away its age and still has the original label "Made in France." It is just a darling purse and from the original owner.

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RARE Figural Crewel Vanity Purse

Rare vanity purse pictured in Vintage Purses at Their Best on pg. 119, it is described as "silk stitched romantic figural in an unconventional oval shape." Beautiful detailed figures on front while back has a vignette of flowers. Interior is in fabulous condition with an oval beveled mirror and tiny pockets. With original stitched handle. Measures 3" x 4". Previously listed for $950 ... price is now less than I paid for it!

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Leather Coin Purse with Enameled Cherries from New York State Private Collection!

Purchased from a collection of purses from a town near Rochester, New York, which had belonged to the owner's grandmother and two were dated before 1894. The others were believed to be from around turn-of-the-century and this is one of the purses from the collection. This is a little leather coin purse with two enameled cherries on the front. Back of case is a diamond and triangle impressed design. Purse opens and has a "secret" compartment inside. In very good condition inside and out. Measures approximately 3" wide x 2-1/2" high overall.

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Leather Purse with Sterling Silver Repousse' Frame and Chatelaine Clip from New York State Private Collection

Purchased from a collection of purses from a town near Rochester, New York, which had belonged to the owner's grandmother and two were dated before 1894. The others were believed to be from around turn-of-the-century and this is one of the purses from the collection. This adorable little purse dates from before 1894 as the owner's grandmother's initials before she was married (she was married in 1894) are engraved on the frame. The leather is all in excellent condition, just a bit dirty (I haven't tried cleaning). The inside is lined in suede. The sterling silver frame and matching chatelaine clip are richly chased and both are marked sterling. Purse measures 3-1/2" wide x 4" long overall; with hook, it is 9-1/2" long.

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RARE Cross-stitch Scenic Castle Purse "Cinderella's Castle"

Rarely found is cross-stitch in purses and this one is a beauty! Stitches are so tiny they defy counting ... and give the appearance of the finest petitpoint. Beautiful fantasy scene of a romantic castle on a hilltop with multiple levels cascading down to water's edge. To the right can be seen a house in the village. Birds flock in the sky near the blue turret peaks. For some reason, when I look at this purse, I think "Cinderella's Castle" ... it just reminds me of Disneyland! Interior is lined in old blue silk which shows some shattering and has the original round beveled mirror (also showing its age). A real little treasure! Same scene on both sides and no damage anywhere to purse that I can see. Measures 5-1/2" wide at frame x 6" wide across body x 6" high not counting handle.

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Romantic Figural Courting Couple Petit-Point Purse

Lovely little petit-point purse with a romantic scene of a courting couple . . . the elegantly begowned lady is being romanced by a gentleman on bended knee holding a large stringed instrument with which to serenade her. Ahhh, for such times as those!! They are seated beside what looks like a lake or pond to the lady's left. Scene is the same on both sides. Frame is beautifully embossed and has a matching embossed pendant pull. Interior is lined in pink silk, which has a few splits, and is trimmed with pink and grey braiding. The stitches are all very tiny and hand done. Measures 4-1/2" wide at frame x 5-1/2" long.

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Aubusson Figural & Scenic 2-Sided Purse with Ornate Jeweled Frame

Near-mint condition, all original with 2 different scenes. Front depicts lady reclining next to a stream while her lover is fishing. Back pictures an old mill by a bridge and a boat nearby. Gorgeous carnelians adorn the clasp, frame, and pendant. 99% intact ... there is some slight thread loss right on the fold by left hinge and a tiny split that also falls into the fold and is not noticeable. One hinge is separated but purse still closes fine and hangs perfect. It is a beautiful purse and price has been reduced to reflect these imperfections that I did not see when I originally listed it. Measures approximately 8" wide x 8" high counting clasp. Frame itself is 6-5/8" across top.

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Portrait Petitpoint Purse with Enameled & Jeweled Frame & Handle

I'm sure there is a specific name for this type of petitpoint which is done in relief on a tightly woven canvas background. Only the design elements are stitched while the rest is left unstitched to give it a dimensional effect (see close-up of portrait). giving the purse a delicate look. The gold frame is richly embossed on all sides and features daisy rosettes holding the handle with topaz jewels in the centers. This is repeated in the flower basket pendant. Across the top of the frame facing upward are 7 jewels, four tiny faux emeralds and three rubies. Interior is lined in gold with two pockets. Purse is in excellent condition with no holes and only very very minor wear. Color is a bit darker than scan shows. In the handle, there are two large ruby glass beads and an enameled petal ball ... the enameled petals do have some chips, but all the other enamel is perfect. Back of purse shows a different pattern. Measures approximately 6" wide (at frame) x 8" long.

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Figural Micro-Petitpoint Purse with Filigreed Jeweled Frame

This lovely purse is done in the tiniest of micro-petitpoint stitches and has two totally different scenes.  The front depicts a group of several youths fishing in a stream framed inside a floral border.  The sides are black stitches.  The back side of the purse depicts a village scene ... probably where the youngsters live.  It is also framed in a floral border.  The frame is filigreed and set with several pearly jewels.  Overall in very good condition. 

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