Whiting & Davis Fully Lined Gilded Gold Hardware Mesh Drawstring Evening Bag
View Similar Items
Whiting & Davis Fully Lined Gilded Gold Hardware Mesh Drawstring Evening Bag
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2474977063
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.
- Carlo Falchi Shades of Creams and Gray Pylon Skin Crossbody Shoulder BagBy Carlos FalchiLocated in New York, NYCarlo Falchi crossbody shoulder bag in shades of creams and gray pylon skin has an adjustable shoulder strap. The interior is lined with a cream textured silk as well as a zippere...Category
1990s Spanish Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Rebecca Minkoff Black Embossed Croc Leather Optional Clutch or Shoulder BagBy Rebecca MinkoffLocated in New York, NYRebecca Minkoff Black embossed croc leather zippered top optional clutch or shoulder bag accented with 3 zippered exterior compartments with leather tassels. Gold hardware accents...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
- MCM Red with Red Patent Leather Calfskin Miniature Evening Shoulder BagBy MCMLocated in New York, NYMCM wonderfully detailed miniature red with red patent leather calfskin accents evening shoulder bag is completed with gilded gold hardware on the clasp opening as well as the...Category
2010s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Meyers Bronze Pylon-Skin Optional Clutch and Shoulder BagBy MeyersLocated in New York, NYMeyers wonderfully elegant bronze pylon-skin clutch with the option to use as a shoulder bag is desired. The interior is lined with a warm tan silk. Top closure features a sna...Category
1970s American Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Judith Leiber Beige Python with Tiger's Eye and Garnet Stones Evening BagBy Judith LeiberLocated in New York, NYJudith Leiber's wonderfully detailed beige python evening clutch has the optional use of a evening shoulder bag with their removable straps of python and gold hardware. Th...Category
1990s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Metallic Gold Lambskin Drawstring and Detailed Floral Top-Stitching Shoulder BagLocated in New York, NYElegant and whimsical metallic gold lambskin drawstring shoulder bag is detailed with floral-design topstitching. The interior is lined in black. Drawstring as well as the should...Category
1990s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Pre-Fall 2011 Yves Saint Laurent Gold Tone Quilted Leather Crossbody Evening BagBy Yves Saint Laurent, Stefano Pilati for Yves Saint LaurentLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a double flap gold-tone leather quilted Yves Saint Laurent bag, designed by Stefano Pilati. From the Pre-Fall 2011 collection, this ba...Category
Early 2000s Unknown Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
$906 Sale Price30% Off - Chanel Limited Edition Ice Cube Flap Metallic Gold Lambskin Leather Shoulder BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Limited Edition Ice Cube Flap Metallic Gold Lambskin Leather Shoulder Bag Crafted from gold-tone leather, this Ice Cube CC logo chain shoulder bag features a chain and interw...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Gucci 1973 Bronze Small Crossbody Handbag - GHWBy GucciLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThis beautiful bronze Gucci 1973 crossbody bag is perfect for everyday wear. Originates from the fall/winter 2010 season, this piece is in very good condition as it was carried by my...Category
2010s Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Gianni Versace Couture Crossbody Bag Gold Sphere Handle Chain Strap 1980sBy Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in AMSTERDAM, NLGianni Versace Couture crossbody bag in red with gold spheres / balls on the strap from the 1980s. It has a beautiful round shaped top an...Category
1980s Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Chanel 2015 Paris Dubai Night Gas Tank Jerry Can Statement Bag Collector's ItemBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel 2015 Paris Dubai Night Gas Tank Jerry Can Statement Bag Collector's Item Cruise 2015 Paris-Dubai Collection. Gold hardware Single padded top handle G...Category
2010s Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Chanel 2016 2.55 Reissue Flap Hanger Small Mini Reissue Limited Edition BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Classic Flap Hanger Small 2.55 Reissue Bag Limited Edition 2016 Gold tone hardware Mademoiselle turn-lock closure Black calfskin Reissue classic chain Hanger detail with rear...Category
2010s Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags