Whiting & Davis On Sale
1970s American Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
1990s Central American Halter Tops
1970s American Evening Bags and Minaudières
Recent Sales
1920s American Evening Bags and Minaudières
Mid-20th Century American Evening Bags and Minaudières
20th Century Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
20th Century American Evening Bags and Minaudières
Early 20th Century Canadian Evening Bags and Minaudières
Mid-20th Century American Evening Bags and Minaudières
Mid-20th Century American Evening Bags and Minaudières
20th Century American Evening Bags and Minaudières
21st Century and Contemporary American Evening Bags and Minaudières
Mid-20th Century American Evening Bags and Minaudières
Mid-20th Century American Structured Shoulder Bags
20th Century American Evening Bags and Minaudières
20th Century American Evening Bags and Minaudières
1960s Wallets
Mid-20th Century American Evening Bags and Minaudières
Early 20th Century American Novelty Bags
Early 20th Century American Novelty Bags
People Also Browsed
Late 20th Century Scarves
1990s Shirts
1990s Evening Gowns
1990s Italian Evening Gowns
1990s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
1990s French Cardigans
1980s Canadian Coats and Outerwear
Early 1900s Blouses and Tops
Early 2000s Italian Clutches
1990s Italian Day Dresses
1990s Italian Skirt Suits
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Day Dresses
1980s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
20th Century French Jackets
1990s Italian Crop Tops
1950s Blouses and Tops
Whiting & Davis On Sale For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Whiting & Davis On Sale?
Whiting & Davis for sale on 1stDibs
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.
Finding the Right Handbags And Purses for You
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 10, 2025Whether Whiting & Davis bags are made in China varies. The company was founded in Plainville, Massachusetts, in 1876 and has been based in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, since 1995. Its collectible vintage handbags were largely produced at its own workshop in Massachusetts. However, Whiting & Davis has outsourced some of its newer bags to factories in China. On 1stDibs, find a range of Whiting & Davis apparel and accessories.