BEADING, BAG

This dainty attractive hand beaded evening bag was used by the donor’s mother in Western Australia in 1920s, a highly fashionable accessory at the time.

Beadwork reached its height of popularity in 1920s and 1930s when beads adorned clothing, furnishings and accessories. Floral designs gave way to more abstract and modern patterns. Most of the beautiful bags were made in Germany or Czechoslovakia with Bohemian and Bavarian beads.

Delicate fine white seed beads in abstract design are interspersed with silk tambour embroidery. Some of the beads are shiny which twinkle in the light – the glitz of the ‘Jazz Age’.

Unusual short handle, beadwork on fabric, created a loop to place over the wrist, easy to carry when doing the Charleston dance. Chrome metal frame has been covered with fabric. Chrome metal knob clasp.

White silk lining with a pocket, attached to which is a small fabric label with word “FOREIGN”.