History of the Beaded Handbag
There is nothing more intriguing than a woman's purse. This item has become one of the most popular fashion accessories of all time, and a must have for most women. These necessities come in a variety of styles and materials these days and one of the most enduring materials that have been used for centuries is the beaded handbag.
The Beaded Handbag: Popular for Centuries
The purse itself has been used by both men and women throughout history. The beaded handbag has been spotted in paintings and even mentioned in literature as far back as the 1300's. Small beads have been found during archeological digs, and even the Empress Josephine was well known for her beaded handbag.
The beaded handbag is made by first constructing a frame. This is often made of metal and the material is pulled onto the frame. There is often a chain that is connected to allow for the beaded handbag to be carried. The beads themselves are often extremely small. They are sewn on in patterns allowing for the beaded handbag to have a colorful design sewn. The beads and patterns are amazing and sometimes very intricate too.
Not only were these bags popular in Europe, they were also very sought after in America. During the 1960's many woman made their own beaded handbags from patterns that could be purchased at local stores that featured sewing supplies. The beads themselves were easy to find too. This was a popular trend that allowed for a variety of creative purses to be created.
Beaded Handbag Styles
Some of the beaded handbags that are made use beads from different time periods. Beads from the 1800's have been used to decorate bags that were manufactured in the 1920's.
This can be frustrating for collectors of beaded handbags, as bags are very often difficult to date. Most beaded handbags are not signed by the designer and collectors have a hard time verify when the bag was created. Materials can be deceiving and collectors need to be careful when purchasing a beaded handbag.
Originally, most beaded handbags were manufactured in France and Austria. Today, many of these ornate bags are created in China and instead of the hand sewing that was needed; machines are used to make the intricate designs. This does not take away from the beauty of the pattern and beads, however, and these are still very popular. Beaded handbags are a popular choice for many women today and collectors too can see the value of these well designed purses.
