Whiting & Davis
American
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.
| Average Sold Price |
| $685 |
| Related Designers |
Whiting & Davis Figural Face Flower Frame Mesh Chainmail Gold Purse Evening Bag
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Rare vintage Whiting & Davis Co. gold mesh chainmail purse with frame that features a centralized face among leaves and flowers. It has a gold chain t...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Whiting & Davis
H 8.12 in W 5 in D 0.5 in L 23 in
Whiting and Davis 1980s Gold Metal Chainmail Vintage Metallic 80s Belt
By Whiting & Davis
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic early 80s vintage WHITING & DAVIS gold chain mail metal belt ! Features signature chainmail in a bright metallic gold. Large gold buckle. Really makes any outfit complete. Great...
Category
1980s American Whiting & Davis
Whiting & Davis silver mesh clutch with matching change purse
By Whiting & Davis
Located in New York, NY
Whiting & Davis silver mesh evening clutch has detailed rhinestone clasp closure. The evening clutch comes with a matching silver mesh change purse. Both items have the signature "Wh...
Category
1970s American Whiting & Davis
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. A wonderful examp...
Category
1990s American Whiting & Davis
H 10 in D 4 in L 12 in
1990s Whiting & Davis Aubergine toOrchid Ombre Chainmail Halter Cowl Top
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Gresham, OR
A stunning 1990s Whiting & Davis aubergine to black ombre chainmail halter top: A deeply draped cowl neckline, black mesh base with thin black lea...
Category
1990s American Whiting & Davis
Whiting & Davis Gold Mesh Bag
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Alford, MA
Petite gold mesh bag by Whiting & Davis with wrist strap and curved gold metal frame itch engraved initials "WMF".
Category
1950s American Whiting & Davis
1950’s Whiting & Davis Gold Chainmail Purse
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Greenport, NY
Vintage 1950’s Whiting & Davis Gold Chainmail Mesh Mini Evening Purse with Unique Clasp & Small Chain Strap. A Show Stopping Piece of the Time Period. Gorgeous Fun Bag in Perfect Con...
Category
1950s American Whiting & Davis
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.. The zip closure along top edge of bag measures 8.5 inches....
Category
Late 20th Century American Whiting & Davis
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Whiting & Davis Sale Prices
This data represents a recent sample of sales made on 1stDibs during the specified years. All sales are anonymized.
| Sold Date | Sold Price | Category | Period | |||||||||||||
|
| $685 |
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months |
| $133-$1,800 |
| Sold price range of items in the past 12 months |
Whiting & Davis fashion for sale on 1stDibs.
Find an extraordinary range of authentic Whiting & Davis fashion available on 1stDibs. Customers who are interested in this designer might also find the work of Betsey Johnson, Hattie Carnegie, and Vera Wang appealing. On 1stDibs, find haute couture, vintage and designer Whiting & Davis fashion from top boutiques around the world. Whiting & Davis fashion prices can differ depending upon time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $96 and tops out at $1,995, while the average work can sell for $550.
Questions About Whiting & Davis
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- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 25, 2024The Davis Cabinet Company is more than 90 years old. The company, founded by Lipscomb "Lip" Davis in 1929, grew out of a lumber mill operation located on the Cumberland River in Tennessee. Owners of the mill opened the Standard Furniture Company to put leftover lumber to use. Davis worked for Standard Furniture for eight years before he bought out the company and reopened it as the Davis Cabinet Company. Find a diverse assortment of Davis Cabinet Company furniture on 1stDibs.
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