A carved Bakelite framed golden velvet handbag, France, 1920s

Pierre Cardin’s preference, right from the start, was always for large jewels, and always designed in close connection with the garment, accentuating a predominant element of the cut, or drawing attention to a detail. Training essentially as an architect, he moved into fashion, working first for Paquin, them moving to Elsa Schiaparelli and , finally, Christian Dior, before opening his own house in 1950. Designing ground breaking...

An exquisite handbag. Using an original 1920s celluloid frame, a beautiful crafted handbag of a combination of original black and cream silk has been made anew for the bag. The frame...

An exquisite handbag. Using an original 1920s French celluloid frame, a beautiful crafted handbag of original black patterned silk has been made anew for the bag. The frame imitates carved ivory (as did many early celluloid/Bakelite pieces from the 1920s, think of the jewelled snake bracelets...

A real collector's piece, and conversation point, this highly imaginative and charming handbag design is a rarity, and is wonderful to use and wear. The centre of the 'rose' pulls to one side, releasing the catch, hence allowing the bag to open. The top is made from delicately hand curled 'petals' of coloured celluloid, the actual frame in dark green is robust and strong, with stronger green leaves, underlying the 'bloom'. The bag is made from mole brown silk velvet, with a black 'ruffled' trim highlight. Many bakelite and celluloid bags...

A very rare and outstanding yellow silk moire handbag, topped with a beautiful and intact hand painted celluloid 'rose', with green leaves. Handbags with these highly decorative and ...

A gently, elegantly curved frame is set with white spinels, citrines, emeralds and synthetic sapphires, in a frame of silver (it is marked 'Made In Italy'...

Beautiful 1920s bronze and brown fully beaded evening bag! The perfect alternative to a clutch! This rare gem features two gold metal chains, and can be adjusted to wear long or shor...

A limited-edition, signed and numbered, Swarovski crystal encrusted, gold-plated metal Snow White's red apple shaped minaudière evening bag purse by Kathrine Baumann, who is the cele...

This charming figural handbag is shaped like an old fashioned coffee grinder. It's covered in a fine, black suede with details and accents in gold plated brass. The inside of the lid that opens up for access to the main body of the bag has a little mirror attached, and the "hopper dome" on top is a compact with a feathery powder puff and another mirror. There is a little "ground coffee" drawer in the bottom that pulls out to hold your little bits and pieces. It has a woven cord handle with a tassel accent. The Jeanne Bernard...

Exquisite handmade designer, Kathrine Baumann, who is the celebrated handbag maker to the stars, leopard pattern pillow shaped minaudière, evening bag...

This darling, flower shaped handbag has wonderful details. The round body of the bag is accessed by way of a zipper. The front and back of the bag each have a 3-dimensional flower wi...

A beautiful black suede minaudiere compact wallet evening bag. It has a top handle with suede fringe tassels on the ends, a gold metal top snap butto...