Whiting & Davis Collectibles and Curiosities
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.
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Creator: Whiting & Davis
Vintage Whiting & Davis Evening Bag
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
A perfect elegant vintage American evening bag! All beaded by Whiting & Davis Co. - For You, now. With classic style and color, this vintage ...
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Mid-20th Century American American Classical Whiting & Davis Collectibles and Curiosities
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1950s Whiting and Davis Gold Mesh Jewel Closure Evening Clutch with Coin Purse
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From the mid-late 1950s, a gold mesh evening clutch made by Whiting and Davis, the company who invented superior quality metallic mesh design and fashion, from the late 1890s into the 20th century.
The envelope shaped evening bag is complete with two enclosures, a matching gold mesh coin purse...
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Mid-20th Century American International Style Whiting & Davis Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Crystal, Metal
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Whiting & Davis collectibles and curiosities for sale on 1stDibs.
Whiting & Davis collectibles and curiosities are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of stone and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Whiting & Davis collectibles and curiosities, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original collectibles and curiosities by Whiting & Davis were created in the neoclassical style in united states during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider collectibles and curiosities by and Christie's. Prices for Whiting & Davis collectibles and curiosities can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $447 and can go as high as $555, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $501.
Questions About Whiting & Davis Collectibles and Curiosities
- 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Stuart Davis's art style is largely Cubist. He used the hard-edge painting technique to create dramatic differences in color. Many of his works draw inspiration from jazz and swing music, and historians credit him with influencing the Pop artists that emerged later in the 20th century. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Stuart Davis art.
- 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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- What is a white quartz?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 26, 2021White quartz, also called milk quartz, is believed to be a powerful healing and balancing gemstone. The white hue is caused by small fluid inclusions of liquid, gas, or both that are trapped during the crystal formation. Shop a collection of vintage and modern white quartz jewelry from some of the world’s top jewelers on 1stDibs.
- What does Off-White stand for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024As a brand, Off-White stands for the symbolic meaning that late founder Virgil Abloh assigned to the color off-white. Specifically, Abloh explained that, to him, off-white is the gray area between black and white, light and dark and good and evil. These dichotomies mirror Off-White's approach to design, which combines elements of haute couture and casual streetwear. On 1stDibs, find a range of Off-White apparel and accessories.
- Who founded Off-White?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024Virgil Abloh founded Off-White. The late American designer and entrepreneur established the luxury brand in Milan, Italy, in 2013. Prior to creating his own brand, Abloh worked for the Italian luxury fashion house of Fendi. Find a wide range of Off-White apparel, accessories and furniture from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.
- How much is Off-White worth?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 24, 2024How much Off-White is worth will vary depending on the type, style, age and condition. Collectors are often interested in luxury brands' limited edition pieces, such as those produced as a part of collaborations with Nike and Louis Vuitton. Overall, selling prices for Off-White apparel and accessories are generally in the hundreds, but select items may sell for significantly more. A certified appraiser or other knowledgeable expert in the fashion industry can be of assistance when trying to determine the value of a particular piece. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of Off-White apparel and accessories.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024Off-White used to be called Pyrex Vision. That was the name of designer Virgil Abloh's fashion brand when he first launched it in 2012. The following year, he renamed the company Off-White. In interviews, Abloh explained that the name represented the area between black and white, symbolizing that his brand's style fell between streetwear and couture fashion. Find a collection of Off-White apparel and accessories on 1stDibs.
- Is Off-White a luxury brand?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024Yes, Off-White is a luxury brand. Founded by the late American designer Virgil Abloh, the Italian fashion house is lauded for its hip collaborations and range of sneakers and shoes, shirts, hoodies and bags that are frequently emblazoned with bold graphics and the iconography of America's metropolitan centers. Many people see Off-White as a bridge between streetwear and haute couture because its pieces reflect the latest trends while featuring the fine craftsmanship associated with luxury. Find a selection of Off-White apparel, bags, shoes and accessories on 1stDibs.
- When was white gold invented?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 8, 2024White gold was invented during the 19th century when jewelers discovered how to alloy gold with palladium. In 1912, German jewelry makers began using white gold as an inexpensive alternative to palladium. Over the decades that followed, the use of white gold spread, and today, many luxury jewelry makers produce pieces from the material. Find a wide range of white gold jewelry on 1stDibs.
- Who makes Off-White clothing?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 26, 2024The brand Off-White makes Off-White clothing. Designer Virgil Abloh founded the brand in 2013 and served as its creative director until his death in 2021. Stylist Ibrahim Kamara took over the role in 2022. Shop a wide range of Off-White apparel from some of the world's top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 14, 2023What white sapphire symbolizes varies based on individual beliefs. Due to its color, white sapphire is synonymous with purity and innocence for many people. Others believe that the gemstone represents good fortune and protection from evil. White sapphire is also the birthstone for Cancer sun signs in western astrology. On 1stDibs, shop a wide range of white sapphire jewelry.
- Are white diamonds more valuable?2 Answers1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021White diamonds are more valuable the higher the clarity and lower the color. Because colorless diamonds are so rare, they are prized over yellower diamonds.1stDibs ExpertAugust 24, 2021Yes, white diamonds are considered to be more valuable. Since most white diamonds have a natural hue, the ones that have a higher color grade, excellent cut, and uncompromising clarity are more valuable than a white diamond with a tinge of yellow. Hence, the clearer and more colorless the diamond is, the rarer and more valuable it is. Find white diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021The best white dinnerware is a matter of personal preference. To select the best one, we suggest thinking about styles and price as well as your specific needs so you can find the best set for your preferences and budget. Visit 1stDibs for the most suitable dinnerware options to choose from.
- What is a fancy white diamond?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021Fancy white diamonds are dazzling opaque white diamonds. They have a translucent appearance that is similar to white moonstone. They contain minute particles that scatter light and cause the stone to look somewhat turbid white. Find a wide variety of fancy white diamond jewelry on 1stDibs today.
- Is there a white gold Rolex?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, Rolex makes several different watches in white gold, giving you lots of options. According to the Rolex website, its white gold is made with only the purest metals and meticulously inspected before being formed and shaped into the fine timepieces that you expect from Rolex. On 1stDibs, find vintage and contemporary Rolex watches from top sellers around the world.
- Is white furniture nice?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 17, 2023Whether white furniture is nice is largely a matter of personal preference. However, many people like the clean, bright appearance of white pieces, and the neutral color is versatile enough to work with many palettes and interior design themes. Shop a selection of white furniture on 1stDibs.