Whiting & Davis Art Deco Multi-Color Floral Mesh Bag
View Similar Items
Whiting & Davis Art Deco Multi-Color Floral Mesh Bag
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:West Palm Beach, FL
- Reference Number:Seller: 2299-151stDibs: LU2591054602
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.
- Chanel Silk Gold Rhinestone Camelia Evening BagBy ChanelLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThis stunning Chanel gold satin silk evening bag with gold camellia detail is the perfect accessory for anyone's closet. Featuring a crystal encrusted Camellia, handle drop and small...Category
1990s French Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Rene Caovilla Moss Green Alligator Skin HandbagBy René CaovillaLocated in West Palm Beach, FLRene Caovilla Moss Green Alligator Skin Handbag. René Caovilla's creations are entirely hand-made, using only the highest quality materials and this alligator skin bag...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Novelty Bags
- Rialto NY Grey Lucite Vintage HandbagBy RialtoLocated in West Palm Beach, FLRialto NY Grey Lucite Vintage Handbag. This Rialto NY 1950's Grey Handbag is a stunning piece to add to any bag collection. The handle has a rhinestone det...Category
1950s American Novelty Bags
- Bottega Veneta Dustry Rose Lambskin Small Shoulder Bag w/ Suede LiningBy Bottega VenetaLocated in West Palm Beach, FLBottega Veneta Dustry Rose Lambskin Small Shoulder Bag w/ Suede Lining. This lovely bag is in good condition with some wear consistent with its age and a zipper that is worn. It fe...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoulder Bags
- Judith Leiber Deep Red Lizard Top Handle Handbag - SHWBy Judith LeiberLocated in West Palm Beach, FLJudith Leiber Deep Red Lizard Top Handle Handbag - SHW Circa 90's This beautiful structured handbag in a beautiful deep red lizard color, is in excellent condition. It has an art dec...Category
1990s American Top Handle Bags
$600 Sale Price25% Off - Nancy Gonzalez Beaded Raffia & Orange Croc HandbagBy Nancy GonzalezLocated in West Palm Beach, FLNancy Gonzalez Beaded Raffia & Orange Croc Handbag. This bag is in good condition with a few beads being loose and some minor bottom wear. The beads are ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Colombian Top Handle Bags
$950 Sale Price29% Off
- New in Box Louis Vuitton Multi Pink Pouchette BagBy Louis VuittonLocated in West Hollywood, CAVuitton hot season ticket multi pouches in coated monogram canvas and pink detail. Sold out worldwide . Composed of three detachable parts : cross body, pochette and round coin purse...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Shoulder Bags
- Hermès Bolide 27 Epsom Rouge HBy HermèsLocated in West Hollywood, CAThis classic Hermès bag comes in the tone rouge h. It has two handles but you can also attached the woven strap which colors match perfectly the bag. Strap was...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
- 1950s Mexican Souvenir Doll PurseLocated in San Francisco, CA1950s Mexican Souvenir Doll Purse. Adorable mini woven straw purse with whimsical three dimensional details, including yarn pompoms, felt scenery, seeds, ...Category
1950s Novelty Bags
$180 Sale Price20% Off - Carlos Falchi Large "Shades of Browns" Multi Skin ClutchBy Carlos FalchiLocated in New York, NYCarlos Falchi Signature multi "shades of browns" multi skins such as snake and lizard makes for a wonderful clutch. The sides are finished with embossed calfskin for...Category
1980s Spanish Clutches
- Timmy Woods Beverly Hills Carved Wood Artisan Lion Shoulder Bag c 1990sLocated in University City, MOTimmy Wood's Beverly Hills carved wood artisan lion head shoulder bag The hand-carved wood lion head shoulder bag is constructed from fallen trees in the Philippines That can take ...Category
1990s Philippine Novelty Bags
$275 Sale Price21% Off - New Louis Vuitton Cruise 2020 Monogram Pouchette BagBy Louis VuittonLocated in West Hollywood, CALouis Vuitton limited edition Cruise 2020 collection small pouchette with sunglasses design. Detachable chain. Brand new with dust cover and box.Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Shoulder Bags