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 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 ...
$360Sale Price|20% Off
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 rhinestone...
Pearl, Gold Plate, Base Metal
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 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...
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 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 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...
$14,000Sale Price|30% Off
W 0.63 in L 1.38 in
Estate Earrings with 3.52 Carat Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold / Platinum
Located in New York, NY
Estate Unique Design 18 Karat Yellow Gold and Platinum Earrings. The Earrings have 2 Pear Shape Diamonds of 2.02 Carat Total Weight with average Clarity of VS and average Color of J....
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
14 Karat Gold Textured Rope Twist Knocker Circle Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Knocker Tubular Rope Twist Earrings Measurements: 1.04 x .92 Inch Depth: .20inch Comfortable Butterfly Push backs 5.8 grams / 14kt. Yellow Gold Earrings are gorgeous made
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Tourmaline Diamond 18 Karat Gold Star Earrings
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
Cast from 18K gold, these beautiful star earrings are hand set in 1.18 carats tourmaline, multi sapphires and .19 carats of diamonds FOLLOW MEGHNA JEWELS storefront to view the lat...
Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Diamond, Tourm...
David Webb Turquoise and Diamond Oval Clip-On Gold Earrings
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
David Webb turquoise and diamond earrings in 18 karat yellow gold with stylized branch design. These clip-on earrings feature 2 oval c...
Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$392Sale Price|20% Off
Tiffany & Co Estate Natural Hematite Cabochon Earrings Sterling Silver
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Authentic Tiffany & Co Estate Natural Hematite Cabochon Earrings Sterling Silver TIF786 These Authentic Tiffany & Co. estate earrings feature iconic natural hematite cabocho...
Hematite, Sterling Silver
South Sea Pearl Diamond Drop Earrings 1.55 Carat 18 Karat Rose Gold 14-15 MM
By Harbor Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
18K White Gold drop earrings featuring two South Sea Pearls measuring 14-15 mm flanked with numerous diamonds weighing 1.55 carats. Available in white gold.
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
$392Sale Price|20% Off
John Hardy Estate Square Ornate Clip-on Earrings 18k Y Gold + Sterling Silver
By John Hardy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
John Hardy Estate Square Ornate Clip-on Earrings 18k Y Gold + Sterling Silver JH27 TRUSTED SELLER SINCE 2002 PLEASE SEE OUR HUNDREDS OF POSITIVE FEEDBACKS FROM OUR CLIENTS! FREE S...
Gold, Sterling Silver
$4,400
W 0.63 in L 2.25 in
Michael Kneebone Rhodolite Garnet Amethyst Diamond Red Topaz Dangle Earrings
By Michael Kneebone
Located in Austin, TX
Red and purple colors glow in these statement dangle earrings. Brightly colored cabochon rhodolite garnet (origin: Tanzania) is complimented by richly colored marquise cut amethyst (origin: Brazil). The gems support cabochon red topaz...
Amethyst, Diamond, Garnet, Topaz, Rhodolite, 18k Gold
18K White Gold Paraiba Tourmaline Diamond Drop Earrings
By Althoff Jewelry
Located in Hong Kong, HK
18K White Gold Paraiba Tourmaline Diamond Drop Earrings 2 Paraiba Tourmalines - 3.320 CT 2 Paraiba Tourmalines - 0.790 CT 72 Diamonds - 2.880 CT 18K White Gold - 6.211 GM Althoff J...
Diamond, Tourmaline, Paraiba, White Gold
18K Gold Unheated Burma Ruby & Sapphire & Sapphire Earrings with Diamonds
By Althoff Jewelry
Located in Hong Kong, HK
18K Gold Burma Ruby & Sapphire & Sapphire Earrings with Diamonds Main Stone Unheated Burma Sapphires - 11. 57 CT Unheated Burma Rubies & Sapphires & Emeralds - Total...
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage Gold-Tone Maple Leaf Clip-On Earrings Marked "Pat. Pend"
Located in Milford, DE
Vintage Gold-Tone Maple Leaf Clip-On Earrings Marked "Pat. Pend" These vintage clip-on earrings are elegantly shaped like maple leaves, crafted in richly textured gold-tone metal. Ea...
Gold
Joan Boyce Turquoise Enamel Gold-Tone Flower Clip-On Earrings with Crystal
Located in Milford, DE
Joan Boyce Turquoise Enamel Gold-Tone Flower Clip-On Earrings with Crystal Centers These playful Joan Boyce earrings are shaped like cheerful floral bursts, each with layered gold-to...
Crystal, Gold, Enamel
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...