Whiting And Davis Jewelry
Mid-20th Century American American Classical Collectible Jewelry
Acrylic
Vintage 1980s American Clamper Bracelets
Silver Plate
Vintage 1970s Unknown Drop Necklaces
Early 20th Century American Vanity Items
Other
Vintage 1980s American Art Deco Drop Earrings
Pearl, Gold Plate
Vintage 1970s Egyptian Revival Cuff Bracelets
Gold
Vintage 1980s American Art Deco Drop Necklaces
Vintage 1960s American Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
Vintage 1960s American Modern Chain Necklaces
Mid-20th Century American International Style Collectible Jewelry
Crystal, Metal
1990s American Bangles
Vintage 1960s American Modern Pendant Necklaces
Vintage 1970s American Retro Chain Necklaces
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Retro Bracelets
Base Metal
People Also Browsed
Vintage 1930s French Retro Vanity Items
Blue Sapphire, Gilt Metal
2010s Turkish Modern Fashion Rings
Garnet, 14k Gold
2010s American Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century French Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Rose Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
1980s French Wallets
1950s American Evening Bags and Minaudières
20th Century American Modernist Vanity Items
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century American Evening Bags and Minaudières
2010s French Contemporary Band Rings
Yellow Gold
1990s American Top Handle Bags
2010s Italian Band Rings
Gold
1940s American Top Handle Bags
1930s British Evening Bags and Minaudières
2010s French Contemporary Fashion Rings
Gold
1970s American Evening Bags and Minaudières
Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Carnelian, 9k Gold
Recent Sales
Early 20th Century Canadian Art Deco Vanity Items
Vintage 1960s American Drop Necklaces
Vintage 1970s American More Necklaces
Vintage 1970s American Victorian Bangles
Rhodium
Vintage 1970s American Egyptian Revival More Bracelets
Vintage 1970s American Victorian Bangles
Rhodium
Vintage 1960s American Clip-on Earrings
1970s American Evening Bags and Minaudières
Vintage 1970s American More Necklaces
Early 20th Century American Contemporary Bangles
Copper
Mid-20th Century American More Necklaces
Gold Plate
20th Century American Victorian Clip-on Earrings
1920s American Evening Bags and Minaudières
Vintage 1960s More Bracelets
20th Century Victorian Clamper Bracelets
20th Century American Collectible Jewelry
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1970s American Art Deco Choker Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary More Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1970s American Retro Chain Necklaces
Base Metal
Vintage 1970s American Bangles
Vintage 1970s Cuff Bracelets
Silver Plate
Vintage 1970s American Choker Necklaces
Vintage 1970s American More Necklaces
20th Century Unknown Clip-on Earrings
Vintage 1960s American Chain Necklaces
Vintage 1970s American More Necklaces
Gold Plate
Vintage 1960s American Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1970s American More Necklaces
Gold Plate
Late 20th Century American Cuff Bracelets
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1970s American Retro Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
Vintage 1970s American Art Deco More Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Early 20th Century Art Deco Collectible Jewelry
Metal, Enamel
1970s American Belts
1950s Evening Bags and Minaudières
20th Century American Edwardian Platters and Trays
Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century American Aesthetic Movement Flatware and Servi...
Copper, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1980s American Drop Necklaces
Silver Plate, Base Metal
Vintage 1960s American Cuff Bracelets
Vintage 1950s Art Deco Link Bracelets
Silver Plate
Vintage 1960s American Clamper Bracelets
Silver Plate
Vintage 1960s American Retro Bangles
Gold Plate, Brass, Gilt Metal
Mid-20th Century American Cuff Bracelets
Vintage 1960s American Choker Necklaces
Vintage 1980s American Clamper Bracelets
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1980s American Clamper Bracelets
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1950s American Clip-on Earrings
Vintage 1980s American More Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1970s American Modernist Drop Necklaces
Base Metal
Vintage 1970s American More Bracelets
Vintage 1970s American Charm Bracelets
Silver Plate
Vintage 1970s American Art Deco Clip-on Earrings
Base Metal
Vintage 1970s American More Bracelets
Vintage 1960s American Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
Vintage 1970s American Cuff Bracelets
Vintage 1970s American Cuff Bracelets
Vintage 1970s American Retro Chain Necklaces
Vintage 1960s American Modernist More Necklaces
Silver Plate
Vintage 1980s American Modern Clip-on Earrings
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Collectible Jewelry
Metal
Vintage 1970s American Retro Chain Necklaces
Whiting And Davis Jewelry For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Whiting And Davis Jewelry?
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.