Llewellyn Pearlized Grey Lucite Handbag

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Llewellyn Pearlized Grey Lucite Handbag

About the Item

Vintage Llewellyn pearlized Grey Lucite Handbag Early 1950s Without handle 4" tall Signed on the interior hinge N.Y.C. Llewellyn Inc. in scripts with a copyright C in circle as seen in the picture. History from Collector's weekly Though plastics today are typically associated with cheap, low-integrity products, during the boom years following World War II, recently developed thermoplastics carried the cachet of glitz and glamour. In the worlds of industrial and interior design, modern materials and geometric forms were all the rage. That trend spilled over to fashion, whose designers soon turned to sturdy plastics like Lucite to create fashion-forward handbags and purses. Created in 1931 by the American chemical company DuPont, Lucite is a durable acrylic material made from polymethyl methacrylate, or PMMA. Lucite became a successful replacement for earlier plastics like Bakelite and Catalin because of its low density and high strength. Though used primarily in military applications during World War II, Lucite was adapted for use in jewelry and fashion accessories during the late 1940s. In the late 1940s, various New York handbag companies hopped on the plastics bandwagon and released lines of Lucite purses, including Llewelyn, Maxim, Rialto, Shoreham, Tyrolean, Venzer, Charles Foster, Arnold Originals, and Gilli Originals. By 1950, Miami Beach had become the happening spot for wealthy American vacationers; its fun-in-the-sun, holiday appeal made it the perfect spot to sell Lucite bags. Many Florida-based manufacturers sprung up in the early '50s, like Myles Originals, Charles S. Kahn, Bags By Benné, Patricia of Miami, Florida Handbags, and Wiesner. The Lucite carryalls made by these manufacturers were typically unlined and sold in solid or transparent hues. More ostentatious bags came in imitation mother of pearl and the trendy “Shell,” a mock-tortoise pattern made from caramel colored acetate. The fashions ranged from flashy, like Wiesner’s rhinestone studded “birdcage” bags with matching accessories, to regal, as with Llewellyn’s blue beaded bag inspired by the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, with gold-plating and Lucite “Shell” trim. Purses were also formed from Lucite laminates filled with glitter, raffia, ribbons, silk flowers, and even real butterflies.

Creator:
Llewellyn
Metal:
Base Metal
Dimensions:
Height: 9 in (228.6 mm)Width: 5.5 in (139.7 mm)Length: 6.5 in (165.1 mm)
Style:
Retro
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
Mid-20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
Mid 20th century
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Interior has replacement bolt and a few chips of grey missing.
Seller Location:
Miami Beach, FL
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU1581934703