Vintage Whiting and Davis metal mesh bag
There are two great advantages of collecting vintage and retro handbags, designer bags and purses. One is that vintage handbags are hot items and are increasing in value. Another is that they are very trendy accessory items that you can actually use!
You may already have started a vintage handbag collection without knowing it. Have you inherited one or two vintage bags from your mother or grandmother? Perhaps they are waiting to be discovered in the attic or at the back of the closet.
If you have found an old handbag, you can check its value at online auction sites such as eBay and Etsy.
Antique German silver mesh evening bag
If you don’t like auctions (and not everyone does!), wonderful vintage and antique bags can be found on Amazon. (see my easy links at the end of this post).
The Growing Vintage Handbag Market
Popular television programs like the British ITV series, “Downton Abbey” and Public Television’s “Mr. Selfridge” are boosting the popularity of vintage handbags, (and vintage clothing styles). Many of those styles are showing up on the runways and at celebrity attended functions.
We’ve researched some of the trendiest vintage and retro handbags and purses and have listed them here. This article focuses on vintage metal mesh bags. Practically all of them work great with today’s fashionable evening wear.
The Art of Chain Metal Mesh Handbags
The fine art of metal chain mesh has been around for centuries. Originally woven by silversmiths as a durable cloth fit for a knight in armor, the art progressed beyond clothing when metal mesh ladies purses became highly popular in the 19th century.
Today, the most collectible mesh bags are made of solid German silver, but more affordable machine-age metal mesh bags (often enamel-coated) are still considered a treasure and are highly collectable. The most popular manufacturers of metal mesh bags are the Mandalian MFG Co., which closed in the early 1940’s and the American manufacturer, Whiting & Davis which still produces stunning designer mesh bags.
Paris Hilton with a 2011 Whiting & Davis metal mesh evening bag
During the 1920’s no respectable flapper would be caught without a cute art deco mesh handbag. Today’s fashionistas feel the same way.
Prices of Vintage Metal Mesh Handbags
The price of a vintage metal mesh handbag depends on the condition of the item, the age of the item and whether it is made of silver mesh or not.
The vintage enameled Whiting & Davis mesh purse shown in the first photo of this post, had a starting bid on eBay of $9.99 and a “buy it” price of $24.99. (updated 4/14/13)
Vintage 1920′s metal mesh bag
- The 1920s vintage Whiting & Davis Deco Dresden mesh bag to the left, is in near-mint condition and is being sold at on-line retail for $325.
- A Vintage German Art Nouveau silver mesh purse c.1900 sells for about $225.
- An Art Deco 1920s Whiting & Davis mesh purse sells for about $295.
- The vintage antique German silver evening bag featured in the photo above was featured on eBay with a starting bid of $179.
Some of the most beautiful Whiting & Davis metal mesh handbags can be found on Amazon. You can view and purchase them by clicking on the Amazon links below. Happy collecting!
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anniejean – Sounds like you have some cool treasures. I’m not an appraiser, (just a journalist
but I do recommend looking for similar items on ebay. If you do find something for auction, put it on your watch list. When and if it sells you’ll have a pretty good idea of what it’s worth. Good luck !
I have 3 metal purses and a match book cover. Can you tell me the value of these? I can send you pictures.
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