Vintage Whiting & Davis Black Mesh Evening Handbag
View Similar Items
Vintage Whiting & Davis Black Mesh Evening Handbag
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Height: 6.25 in (15.88 cm)Width: 6.5 in (16.51 cm)Depth: 1.75 in (4.45 cm)
- Style:Disco Glam (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Black chain mail style mesh with gold tone metal frame embellished with black glass stones and a faille fabric interior.
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Good condition with a little wear to the gold metal finish though nothing truly objectionable ... please see photograph 10.
- Seller Location:Atlanta, GA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU487310369842
Whiting & Davis
You might not expect chain-mesh bags to predate sliced bread by three decades, but it’s true. The very first mesh purse was created by Charles Whiting (1864–1940) in 1892 while working for the jewelry manufacturer Wade Davis & Company in Plainville, Massachusetts. Whiting joined the company at the age of 16, and by 1896 he formed a partnership to purchase it, renaming it the Whiting & Davis Company.
While the original mesh purse was made entirely by hand — artisans hammered out the links and wove them together — the company developed a machine to automate fabrication in 1912. With the ability to produce more rapidly and prolifically, Whiting & Davis became a veritable mesh empire, creating handbags and purses in all shapes, styles and colors, including ones made from precious metals, painted with Art Deco designs and silk-screened with Impressionistic images. The purses became status icons for the stylish elite, particularly with the flappers of the 1920s.
Over the years, Whiting & Davis struck up partnerships with some of the most talented designers of the time, including Paul Poiret, Elsa Schiaparelli and Elsa Peretti, who used their mesh in elegant pieces for Tiffany & Co., propelling their popularity even further. After a brief hiatus during World War II, when Whiting & Davis produced radar equipment rather than handbags, the brand continued to develop an ever-expanding line of products that included clothing.
In the 1970s, Whiting & Davis accessories and clothing were the rage of the disco scene. By the early 2000s, everyone from Paris Hilton to Lady Gaga donned the brand’s mesh handbags. Recent innovations to their offerings include color mesh and fine mesh, with the brand refocusing on fashion jewelry with the launch of a new collection in 2013 featuring a revamped vintage snake-bracelet design. The company has been based in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, since 1995, also supplying its renowned chain mesh for industrial uses like work gloves and protective applications such as shark suits for divers.
Find vintage Whiting & Davis mesh handbags, necklaces and other accessories on 1stDibs.
- Andrea Pfister Gold & Silver Leather Disk Handbag, 1980'sBy Andrea PfisterLocated in Atlanta, GADisco Days! This 1980's Andrea Pfister shiny gold and silver leather round handbag is reminiscent of a pastille ... sweet and petite! The long multi s...Category
1980s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
- Judith Leiber Black Lace Printed Gold Leather Snake HandbagBy Judith LeiberLocated in Atlanta, GAVintage Judith Leiber evening handbag in an unusual black lace printed gold leather with a push button pearl closure embellished by a coiled pave crystal snake. The closure opens to...Category
1990s American Evening Bags and Minaudières
$425 Sale Price22% Off - Judith Leiber Brown Satin Beaded HandbagBy Judith LeiberLocated in Atlanta, GALovely Judith Leiber dark brown satin evening handbag with an envelope style silhouette and a front flap embellished with an array of beading and crystal r...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Evening Bags and Minaudières
$275 Sale Price30% Off - Barbara Lee Italian Gold Crochet & Ruby Red Beaded Handbag, 1960'sLocated in Atlanta, GA1960's Italian made Barbara Lee gold crochet handbag embellished with ruby red faceted beads. The double top handle bag features a kiss lock closure which op...Category
1960s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Laura Biagiotti Attributed Gold Leather Handbag, 1970'sBy Laura BiagiottiLocated in Atlanta, GAGlamorous gold ... Italian style! This gold nugget is a 'carry anywhere and with everything' bag. It is ostensibly an evening accessory but the effortlessly chic leather design wou...Category
1970s Italian Top Handle Bags
- Green Wooden Bead Handbag, 1960'sLocated in Atlanta, GAMod 1960's wooden bead handbag in a rich emerald green. The shoulder length handle has gold chain accents for a little touch of glam to this otherwise bohemian chic look. The front...Category
1960s Japanese Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Eggs Bag Jewelry BoxBy ChanelLocated in Paris, FRCollector. Chanel jewelry box eggs bag in black plexiglass Attention, this egg-box bag is straight out of the 2014-2015 Chanel ready-to-wear fashion show so th...Category
2010s French Evening Bags and Minaudières
$14,128 - Chanel Black Beaded Evening BagBy ChanelLocated in Scottsdale, AZComplete your evening look with this stunning Chanel bag! Circa 1997-1999, this boxy evening bag is crafted from black satin and features a black beaded motif on both sides, a black ...Category
1990s Italian Shoulder Bags
- Handmade Artisan Mixed Metal Sea Life Themed Minaudiere' Evening Bag c 1980sLocated in University City, MOHandmade artisan mixed metal sea life themed minaudiere' evening bag c 1980s The unique artisan rectangular shaped metal purse is designed with a hinged lid cover; encrusted with a s...Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Evening Bags and Minaudières
$295 Sale Price21% Off - Judith Leiber Textured Coco-Brown Silk Evening Bag with Gold hradwareBy Judith LeiberLocated in New York, NYJudith Leiber wonderfully whimsical yet elegant textured coco-brown silk evening shoulder bag is accented with vermeil-finished gold hardware. The fully lined interior is pai...Category
1980s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Chanel Long Rare Vintage Patent Leather Classic Flap Bag Bijoux Chain BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLSmall Chanel patent leather quilted flap 2005 {VINTAGE 19 Years} Gold hardware Bijoux chain Two small interior pockets Strap Drop: Single 14.5” Double 8” 4.5” H x 9” W x 2.5” D Mad...Category
Early 2000s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
- 1990s Brown Leather Ribbed Escada Kelly Hand Bag Never WornBy EscadaLocated in Wallkill, NYKelly Brown Leather Ribbed Leather hand bag. Tags still in hand bag along with dust cover. Gold Tone link chain as shoulder strap. Zippered inside compartm...Category
1990s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières