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.
Whiting & Davis Art Deco Gold Plate Pearl Drop Earrings, 1980s USA
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Atlanta, GA
This is a pair of Whiting & Davis pearl and mesh drop earrings. These Art Deco style gold-tone clip back earrings have large simulated pearls decorated with clear pavé rhinestones an...
Pearl, Gold Plate, Base Metal
WHITING & DAVIS signed vintage gold tone cameo glass designer clip earrings
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS • signed WHITING & DAVIS • gold plated with glass • vintage designer earrings MEASUREMENTS • CONDITION • very good vintage condition with minimal signs of wear ...
Vintage WHITING DAVIS signed silver tone designer clip on earrings
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS • signed WHITING DAVIS • silver tone with rhinestones • vintage designer earrings MEASUREMENTS • CONDITION • very good vintage condition with minimal signs of wear...
WHITING & DAVIS signed silver carved cameo glass designer clip on earrings
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS • signed WHITING & DAVIS • silver tone with glass • vintage designer earrings MEASUREMENTS • CONDITION • very good vintage condition with minimal signs of wea...
WHITING & DAVIS signed gold glass designer clip on earrings brooch set
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS • signed WHITING & DAVIS • gold plated with glass • vintage designer earrings brooch set MEASUREMENTS • CONDITION • very good vintage condition with minimal si...
WHITING & DAVIS signed vintage Egyptian pharaoh glass designer clip on earrings
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS • signed WHITING & DAVIS • gold tone with glass • vintage designer earrings MEASUREMENTS • CONDITION • very good vintage condition with minimal signs of wear Sk...
WHITING DAVIS signed silver tone vintage black glass designer clip on earrings
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS • signed WHITING DAVIS • silver tone with glass • vintage designer earrings MEASUREMENTS • CONDITION • very good vintage condition with minimal signs of wear Sku...
Stylized 18k Yellow Gold Horseshoe Clip On Earrings, Rubies Sapphires & Diamonds
Located in Old Tappan, NJ
Preowned 18K yellow gold ruby, sapphire and diamond earrings. Each earring has one bezel set oval cabochon cut ruby approximately 5.3 x 4.5 millimeters. The rubies are deep pinkish r...
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$397
W 0.83 in L 0.91 in
Christian Dior Vintage 1980s Ten Strands Rope Spiral Interlocked Clip Earrings
By Christian Dior
Located in Wokingham, England
Christian Dior Vintage 1980s Ten 10 Strands Spiral Twist Interlocked Openwork Rope Round Circle Modernist Clip Earrings, Gold Plated Good condition. Light scratches and colour loss....
Gold Plate
Ruby, Yellow Sapphire and Diamond Organic Earrings in 18k Gold
By Kavant & Sharart
Located in Bangkok, 10
Ruby 3.88 carats with Yellow Sapphire 3.09 carats and Diamond 0.58 carat Earrings set in 18 Karat Gold Settings Width: 1.5 cm Length: 3.8 cm Total Weight: 13.95 grams FOUNDED BY...
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold
Richard Kerr Topaz, Silver and Gray Crystal Jeweled Dangle Clip Earrings
By Richard Kerr
Located in Atlanta, GA
Richard Kerr designed these sumptuous statement clip-on earrings in the 1980s. They are made up of his signature pave rhinestones. The extra-long dangling design with a twisted patte...
$589
W 0.4 in L 0.91 in
Christian Dior Vintage 1980s Large Circle Sparkling Crystals Dome Hoop Earrings
By Christian Dior
Located in Wokingham, England
Christian Dior Vintage 1980s Large Circle Sparkling Crystals Demi Semi Dome Modernist Elegant Clip Earrings, Gold Tone Very excellent condition. Not any stones lost. 100% genuine. R...
Gold Plate
$356
W 0.4 in L 0.6 in
Christian Dior Vintage 1980s Whole Shining Half Dome Hoop Crystal Clip Earrings
By Christian Dior
Located in Wokingham, England
Christian Dior Vintage 1980s Whole Shining Half Dome Hoop Crystals Clip Modernist Earrings, Gold Tone Very good condition. Some light scratches. 100% Genuine. A very beautiful pai...
Gold Plate
Stephen Dweck Silver Gilt Semi Precious Ear Clips
By Stephen Dweck
Located in New York, NY
Stephen Dweck Silver Gilt Semi Precious Ear Clips from the 1990's. Set in vintage Etruscan settings with semiprecious stones like lemon citrine, garnet and carved tourmaline. The tou...
Citrine, Garnet, Tourmaline, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
0.20Ct Natural Diamond 14k Solid White Gold Drop Earrings
Located in Los Angeles, CA
0.20 Carat Natural Diamond 14K Solid White Gold Earrings Amazing looking piece! Suggested Replacement Value: Approx. $2,500.00 Total Natural Round Cut Diamonds Weight: Approx. 0...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
$686
W 0.71 in L 1.58 in
Givenchy Vintage 4G Logo Monogram Onyx Cabochon White Pearl Gold Clip Earrings
By Givenchy
Located in Wokingham, England
Givenchy Vintage Unisex 4G Logo Monogram Black Onyx Cabochon White Pearl Round Circle Modernist Elegant Clip Earrings, Gold Plated Very excellent condition and very unique. 100% Gen...
Gold Plate
$589
W 0.87 in L 1.19 in
Christian Dior Vintage 1980s Ruby Gripoix Red Crystals Trapezoid Clip Earrings
By Christian Dior
Located in Wokingham, England
Christian Dior Vintage 1980s Gripoix Ruby Red Crystals Trapezoid Clip Earrings Clip Elegant Earrings, Gold Tone Very good condition. Some light scratches and colour loss, barely not...
Gold Plate
Multi Shape Diamond Swirl Earrings
By Diamond Scene
Located in New York, NY
A unique and gorgeous pair of earrings! 8.43 carats of F/G VS round brilliant cut diamonds set into marquise and pear shapes. 18k white gold Approximately 1.40 inches from the...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold
$686
W 1.38 in L 1.38 in
Christian Dior 1980s Vintage Large Round Sunburst Floral Relief Clip Earrings
By Christian Dior
Located in Wokingham, England
Christian Dior 1980s Vintage Unisex Large Abnormal Round Circle Dome Sunburst Floral Relief Chunky Modernist Clip Earrings, Gold Tone Very good condition. 100% Genuine. A very bea...
Gold Plate
WHITING DAVIS signed vintage gold ruby red glass designer clip on earrings
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS • signed WHITING & DAVIS • gold tone with glass • vintage designer earrings MEASUREMENTS • CONDITION • very good vintage condition with minimal signs of wear S...
Vintage WHITING DAVIS gold watermelon glass designer runway clip on earrings
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS • unsigned • gold tone with glass • vintage designer clip on earrings MEASUREMENTS • 1" in diameter CONDITION • very good vintage condition with minimal signs of wea...
Whiting & Davis Mesh and Candy Apple Red Enamel Statement Earrings, circa 1980s
By Whiting & Davis
Located in McKinney, TX
These stunning 1980s Whiting & Davis candy apple red enamel clip-on earrings feature the distinctive metal mesh that made the iconic brand a success. Extra large in size, these vibrant earrings make a bold statement and are a wonderful addition to your vintage jewelry collection! ABOUT WHITING & DAVIS: Founded in the late 1800s, Whiting & Davis is famous for their mesh bags...
Whiting and Davis Vintage Disco Metal Mesh Earrings, 1970s
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Vintage 1970's Whiting & Davis disco chain mail clipback earrings. Earrings measure 2.5" in length and are unsigned. In very good vintage condition.
Base Metal
Whiting & Davis Silver and Amber Rhinestone Earrings
By Whiting & Davis
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
These Whiting & Davis earrings are silver with an amber colored rhinestone in the center. They have an oval shape and are in fair vintage condition with some tarnishing mainly on...
Whiting and Davis Co. Set, Gold with Lucite
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This set is composed of a gold hued metal and Lucite. The bracelet features a hinged opening. The earrings are a basic clasp closure. The necklace has a large pendent...