21st Century Silver Metal Mesh & Beaded Fringe Evening Bag By, Whiting & Davis
View Similar Items
21st Century Silver Metal Mesh & Beaded Fringe Evening Bag By, Whiting & Davis
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Width: 7 in (17.78 cm)Depth: 2.5 in (6.35 cm)Length: 7 in (17.78 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:West Palm Beach, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU75737618901
Whiting & Davis
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 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.
- MM Silver Convertible ClutchBy Morris MoskowitzLocated in Alford, MAMorris Moskowitz clutch in silver leather that has been quilted in a star design. The foldover clutch has a divided interior, one side with zippered compartment. A thin silver chain ...Category
Late 20th Century American Clutches
- Victorian Sterling Silver Mesh Evening Handbag with FringeLocated in New York, NYWonderfully detailed, this sterling silver mesh weave evening handbag is accented with a sterling silver fringe. The fringe measures from 1" inch to 2" inch in length along the botto...Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Hermes Micro Sac 46mm Villandry Noir Silver Paper Clip Chain Limited EditionBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers an Hermes Runway Limited Edition 70mm Micro Sac features Black Veau Villandry leather. This 3" Micro Mini Sac features palladium Paper Clip...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Limited Edition Curved Warped Mirror Silver Metallic Minaudière ClutchBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Limited Edition Curved Warped Mirror Silver Metallic Minaudière Clutch Color Silver Metallic Material Stainless Steel, Leather Year 2013 Made ...Category
2010s French Clutches
- Asprey Co Ltd. Sterling Silver Opulent Art Deco Compact c 1920sBy Asprey International LimitedLocated in University City, MOAsprey London Sterling silver opulent art deco vanity compact c 1920s The elegant vintage compact is designed with sterling silver The sterling panels ...Category
Early 20th Century British Evening Bags and Minaudières
$775 Sale Price39% Off - Chanel Rare Metallic Silver Data Center Novelty Minaudière Keyboard ClutchBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Rare Metallic Silver Data Center Novelty Minaudière Keyboard Clutch From the Spring/Summer 2017 Data Center Collection Silver Hardware Robot charm...Category
2010s Italian Clutches