$187Sale Price / set|25% Off
Antque Whiting and Davis Floral Mesh Bag with Mirror
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Antique Art Deco Whiting and Davis mesh bag with stamp. Gold tone frame and chain., matching small round gold tone bevelled mirror.
Metal
Antique Whiting & Davis Mesh Purse Bag
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
New, in its original box with tags, Antique Whiting & Davis Mesh Purse / Bag. Includes original care instructions from the maker.
Other
Whiting & Davis Silver Mesh Evening Bag with Chain Handle
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Vintage Whiting & Davis evening bag crafted in silver-tone metal mesh with structured frame.
Whiting & Davis Black Mesh Evening Bag with Orange Bakelite Handle
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Vintage Whiting & Davis evening bag with black metal mesh body, structured tortoiseshell-tone frame and orange Bakelite top handle.
Vintage Whiting & Davis Gold Mesh Halter Top, Evening Bag and Headband 3pc Set
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
This rare three-piece vintage Whiting & Davis ensemble showcases the brand’s iconic craftsmanship in shimmering gold metal mesh.
Whiting & Davis Figural Face Flower Frame Mesh Chainmail Gold Purse Evening Bag
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The height of the bag without the chain is 8.12". Inside is a Whiting & Davis Co. tag.
Whiting & Davis Black Floral Print Metal Mesh Shoulder Bag W/ Black Leather Trim
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Gresham, OR
Whiting & Davis metal mesh shoulder bag in a stylized floral pattern in black, red, blue, green and yellow with black leather trim.
$472Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Whiting & Davis White Armor Mesh Drawstring Bucket Bag (c. 1950s–1960s)
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Honolulu, HI
This immaculate, museum-grade mid-century artifact is an exquisite example of Whiting & Davis’s iconic craftsmanship. Sourced in near-pristine mint condition, this vintage drawst...
$376Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Whiting & Davis Beaded Evening Bag, 1940s American Classic
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
A perfect elegant vintage American evening bag! All beaded by Whiting & Davis Co. - For You, now.
Acrylic
$1,048Sale Price|30% Off
WHITING & DAVIS CO. 1920 Art-Deco Cocktail Mesh Purse In 14Kt Gold & Sterling
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Miami, FL
An oversized mesh purse designed by Whiting & Davis Co. This is an amazing purse mesh bag created in America during the art-deco period, back in 1920 and 1925.
Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
Enamel Metal Mesh Shoulder Bag
By Whiting Davis
Located in New York, NY
Enamel Metal Mesh Shoulder Bag made probably by Whiting Davis in the 1970's.
c. 1950s–1960s Vintage Whiting & Davis Jet-Black Armor Mesh Shoulder Bag
Located in Honolulu, HI
[Details] Brand / Origin: Authentic Whiting & Davis (Made in U.S.A.) Era: Mid-Century Modern Period / c. 1950s–1960s Style: Vintage Enameled Mesh Shoulder / Evening Bag Materials...
Metal Mesh Evening Bag Chainmail Coin Purse Art Deco
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Often made from linked metal fabrics, such as silver-tone or gold-tone mesh. Notable historic manufacturers include Whiting & Davis and Mandalian.
Brass
A carved Bakelite framed and cream enamelled mesh handbag, 1930s.
Located in Greyabbey, County Down
A beautiful bag made from cream enamelled segments all interlocked, in the style of Whiting and Davis, with a bold hand carved cream Bakelite frame and chain handle, with stylised fl...
1920s Whiting and Davis Colorful Mesh Bag
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Litchfield County, CT
Wonderful 1920s enamel and mesh whiting and davis bag. Some wear to a few mesh pieces in the design, but the overall enamel is well intact and crisp.
Whiting and Davis Metal Mesh Bag with Lime Flowers
By Whiting & Davis
Located in New York, NY
A sweet and slightly psychedelic Whiting and Davis metal mesh bag in sliver with lime colored flowers.
Whiting & Davis Deco Colorful Mesh Evening Bag
By Whiting & Davis
Located in New York City, NY
Whiting & Davis colorful art deco mesh evening bag.
1920s Whiting and Davis Metallic Green Mesh Bag
By Charles Whiting, Whiting & Davis
Located in Houston, TX
This quintessential accessory of the 1920s by Whiting and Davis still holds up today! Withstanding 100 years, it features a decorative exterior with multicolored flat mesh, a kiss ...
1960s Whiting and Davis Metal Mesh Bag with Lime Flowers
By Whiting & Davis
Located in New York, NY
A 1960s flower power metal mesh bag from Whiting and Davis. Lime green flowers on painted on the bag.
Edwardian Whiting and Davis Dresden Multi-Color Mesh Bag
By Charles Whiting, Whiting & Davis
Located in Houston, TX
Highly collectible Whiting and Davis mesh purse. This hand bag features painted mesh with an Edwardian/Art Deco frame and a yellow silk satin lining with inside pocket and round gold...
1930'S Whiting & Davis Gold Metal Mesh Wristlet Evening Bag
By Whiting & Davis
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
1930'S Whiting & Davis Coveted Gold Metal Mesh "Wristlet" Evening Bag.
Whiting & Davis Gold Metal Mesh Cross Body Evening Bag Purse
By Whiting & Davis
Located in New York, NY
Gorgeous vintage Whiting & Davis gold metal mesh cross body evening bag with rayon satin lining and gold tone chain strap..
Circa 1920s Whiting & Davis Dresden Mesh Purse
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Long Beach, CA
The overall condition of this 1920/30s bag is excellent and appears to be unused. Marked, Whiting & Davis Co.
1960's Whiting & Davis White Enameled Mesh Handbag
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Oradell, NJ
This is a handsome 1960's vintage, white enameled metal mesh bag by Whiting & Davis with a silver-toned frame, kiss clasp closure, and a thin gas pipe snake chain.
1930s Whiting and Davis Art Deco Dresden Multi-Color Mesh Bag
By Whiting & Davis, Charles Whiting
Located in Houston, TX
Highly collectible Whiting and Davis mesh hand bag. This particular bag features wonderfully designed and painted mesh with an Art Deco frame and a mustard colored silk lining.
Leo Narducci for Whiting and Davis Metal Mesh Bag
By Leo Narducci, Whiting & Davis
Located in Topanga, CA
Very rare, 1960's, Leo Narducci for Whiting and Davis stainless steel metal mesh purse with extra long strap. Fully lined. Strap length 18 inches long. Unfortunately stained with ink...
Antique Whiting & Davis Art Deco Mesh Evening Bag Circa. 1920s-1929
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Galveston, TX
An ornate, rare piece of history is this Whiting & Davis mesh purse, Circa. The 1920s-1929.
1920s Whiting and Davis Blue Enamel Art Deco Clasp Mesh Bag
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Houston, TX
Elegant 1920s Whiting and Davis evening purse! This gorgeous mesh purse features a pressed art deco geometric triangular clasp featuring accents of bright blue enamel. The mesh body ...
1950's Whiting & Davis Gold Mesh Handbag-Rhinestone Clasp
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Oradell, NJ
Whiting & Davis is stamped in the frame's interior and there is also a fabric label attached to the apricot silk lining.
1950's Whiting & Davis Gold Mesh Handbag for Evening
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Oradell, NJ
This is a wonderful 1950's vintage, Whiting & Davis gold mesh evening bag whose frame is embellished with a row of clear baguette rhinestones.
Whiting and Davis Gold Mesh Frame Bag
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Gold evening bag in mesh. Fully lined. One inner zip pocket. Rhinestone embellished clasp. Includes original tag. Gold tone chain shoulder strap. Gold tone metal at top where the bag...
Unavailable
Vintage 1940s Whiting and Davis bag
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage Whiting and Davis off white mesh bag with plastic handle.
Whiting and Davis Shiny Silver Metal Mesh Handbag
Located in Topanga, CA
Shiny domed metal disk mesh with long silver chain strap. Fully lined in silky black lining. Singular interior pocket. Adjustable strap to take this bag from day to night.
Category1970s American Handbags and Purses
1920's Dresden Enamel Baby-Fine Mesh Handbag on Gilded Frame
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Oradell, NJ
Offered for sale is this stunning, Dresden, baby-fine mesh metal bag, enameled in soft muted colors, almost resembling a miniature woven tapestry, with an ornate gilded frame by Whit...
1920s Mandalian Mfg Company Pink and Gold Flat Mesh Bag
Located in Houston, TX
Not much is known about Sahatiel Mandalian, He was an Armeninan immigrant born in Constantinople, Turkey who actually patented the flat mesh machine and painted flat mesh idea a good...
1920 Mandalian Mfg. Company Teal Yellow and Rust Mesh Fringed Bag
Located in Houston, TX
Not much is known about Sahatiel Mandalian, He was an Armeninan immigrant born in Constantinople, Turkey who actually patented the flat mesh machine and painted flat mesh idea a good...
1920s Mandalian Mfg. Company Black Painted Mesh Bag
Located in Houston, TX
There is slight aging on the lower left hand side of the bag where the paint is chipping. Not much is known about Sahatiel Mandalian, He was an Armeninan immigrant born in Constant...
1920's Teal and Coral Mandalian MFG Painted Flat Mesh Purse
Located in Houston, TX
Not much is known about Sahatiel Mandalian, He was an Armeninan immigrant born in Constantinople, Turkey who actually patented the flat mesh machine and painted flat mesh idea a good...
Whiting and Davis Silver Mesh Evening Bag
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
This Whiting and Davis bag comes to you in dazzling silver mesh with hardware to match!
2000s Whiting & Davis Mesh Printed Bag
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
2000s Whiting & Davis printed mesh bag. Single chain strap, wears perfectly over the shoulder.
Whiting and Davis Color Block Metal Mesh Bag 1970s
By Whiting Davis
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous Whiting and Davis color block metal mesh chain mail shoulder strap bag.
Whiting & Davis Gilded Gold Hardware Mesh Evening Bag
By Whiting & Davis
Located in New York, NY
Whiting & Davis wonderfully elegant gilded gold hardware mesh evening bag is accented with a matching gilded gold hardware chain strap which measures 5 inches in height.
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 Whiting & Davis 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.
An integral part of fashion, handbags and purses have been indispensable accessories ever since we began to carry around personal items. Level of craftsmanship, style and shape matters — from coin purses in ancient Greece to early 20th-century opera bags and onward, handbags have evolved considerably over the years to meet our needs and desires, whether or not you happen to be prioritizing functionality over a flashy exterior.
Once, a single “It” handbag ruled each fashion season. No more. Today, lovers of vintage handbags are savvier and have a wider range of shopping options. Nevertheless, classics created by the likes of Louis Vuitton, Dior and Balenciaga still rule.
“It is not a fashion bag — it is a statement bag,” says Mightychic's Debra Kent of Hermès's widely beloved accessories. “When you carry an iconic Hermès bag — Birkin, Kelly, Constance — no one knows how long you have been into this culture or if you are a newbie. Your status is validated immediately.”
First released in 1997, Fendi's Baguette rose to fame along with Carrie Bradshaw, the Sex and the City character portrayed by Sarah Jessica Parker. Recently, the design has seen such a resurgence in popularity that Fendi has reissued it.
They are part of design history, so owning a handbag has meaning. As New York–based fashion historian Sarah C. Byrd says, “You have made the choice to invest in this piece because you understand the value of it in the past and in the future to come.”
From a 1980s Chanel black leather quilted mini buckle bag to the rare Hermès Birkin 30cm Himalayan with diamond hardware to a range of 19th-century bags, find a rich variety of vintage and designer handbags and purses spanning numerous brands on 1stDibs — seasonal “It” designation no longer needed.