Vintage 1970s Whiting & Davis Silver Chainmail Metal Mesh Disco Necklace
View Similar Items
Vintage 1970s Whiting & Davis Silver Chainmail Metal Mesh Disco Necklace
About the Item
- Creator:
- Style:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Very good vintage condition.
- Seller Location:Palm Springs, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2804660543
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.
- 1970s Sterling Silver Gold Tiger Eye Handmade American Studio NecklaceLocated in Palm Springs, CAHandmade sterling silver and gold 1970's necklace with tiger eye and gold stud accents. Necklace pendant measures 7.5" in length, including the V shaped bale and dangles and suspend...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modernist Chain Necklaces
MaterialsTiger's Eye, Gold, Sterling Silver
$875 Sale Price52% OffFree Shipping - 1960s Gold Toned Aluminum Rhinestone Disco Statement NecklaceLocated in Palm Springs, CAGold toned aluminum and rhinestone glam statement necklace, circa 1960's. Necklace measures 22" in length, pendant is about 6" wide. Maker unknown. In excellent vintage condition.Category
Vintage 1960s Modernist Chain Necklaces
- 1970s Eric Scott Robbert Swedish Modernist Sterling Silver NecklaceLocated in Palm Springs, CASwedish modernist sterling silver linked necklace created by Eric Scott Robbert, 1970's. Necklace has a 16" wearable neck length and is 2" at its widest. Fully signed on clasp with...Category
Vintage 1970s Swedish Modernist Choker Necklaces
MaterialsSterling Silver
- 1970s Artisan Sterling Silver Vermeil Aventurine SNAG Studio NecklaceLocated in Palm Springs, CA1970's sterling vermeil necklace with high domed aventurine cabochon pendant. Piece was made by an unknown studio silversmith and member of the Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG). Necklace has a 16.5" total wearable neck length. Pendant portion measures 3.25" wide by 2" long. Signed with the artists insignia, SNAG, Sterling. In very good vintage condition with light wear on the front of the pendant and some staining on the back. The following was taken from the SNAG website with thanks: In November 1968, Philip Morton held a meeting in Chicago, attended by Robert Ebendorf, Phillip Fike, Hero Kielman, Brent Kington...Category
Vintage 1970s American Artisan Drop Necklaces
MaterialsAventurine, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
$955 Sale Price20% OffFree Shipping - Milton Cavagnaro Sterling Silver Exotic Wood California Modernist NecklaceBy Milton CavagnaroLocated in Palm Springs, CACalifornia studio exotic wood pendant necklace with applied hand forged sterling design created by Milton Cavagnaro of Mill Valley, California. Pendant measures 2" square and suspen...Category
Vintage 1960s American Modernist Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsSterling Silver
$795 Sale Price51% OffFree Shipping - Rare 1950s Barney Reid California Studio Sterling Silver Pendant NecklaceBy Barney ReidLocated in Palm Springs, CASterling silver pendant with pierced, modernist design created by Barney Reid of San Diego, California. Pendant measures 2" by 2.5" and suspends from a 22" cord. Suitable for a man ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Artisan Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsSterling Silver
$595 Sale Price77% OffFree Shipping
- 1970s Whiting & Davis Gold Chainmail Metal Fringed Vintage 70s Bib NecklaceBy Whiting & DavisLocated in San Diego, CARare WHITING AND DAVOIS late 70s gold fringe metallic chain mail Egyptian style disco bib necklace ! This gem just screams STUDIO 54 ! Adjustable clasp can be worn at different leng...Category
Vintage 1970s American Retro Chain Necklaces
- Vintage Whiting & Davis Scarf Necklace, 1970sBy Whiting & DavisLocated in London, GBVintage Whiting & Davis 1970s Scarf Necklace This Vintage Whiting & Davis 1970s Scarf Necklace is an incredible statement piece. With it's rainbow-colore...Category
Vintage 1970s Unknown Drop Necklaces
- Gold Chain Mesh Pouch Necklace by Whiting & Davis, 1960sBy Whiting & DavisLocated in McKinney, TX- Vintage item - 34" length - Pouch measures 3.5" x 2" - Gold tone and gold plated - Kiss lock clasp - By Whiting & Davis - Circa 1960s - Estate acquired - Good vintage cond...Category
Vintage 1960s American Modern Chain Necklaces
- Whiting Davis rare vintage mesh bib necklace, 1980sBy Whiting & DavisLocated in New York, NYWhiting Davis rare mesh bib necklace A wonderful blue and gold mesh bib necklace that when worn resembles an elegantly styled scarf around the neck. The necklace fastens by a simpl...Category
Vintage 1980s American Art Deco Drop Necklaces
- 1960's Whiting & Davis Gold Mesh Scarf NecklaceBy Whiting & DavisLocated in Toronto, OntarioKnown for inventing metal mesh at the turn of the last century, this Whiting & Davis goldtone mesh scarf necklace from the 1960's is stylish, chic ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Choker Necklaces
MaterialsGold Plate
- Vintage Gilded "Enchantress" Rhinestone Swirl Necklace By Sarah Coventry, 1970sBy Sarah CoventryLocated in McKinney, TX- Vintage item - Measures 17" total length, can be adjusted down using hook clasp - Gold plated - Crystal rhinestones - From the "Enchantress" Collection - By Sarah Coventry (ma...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Chain Necklaces