BEADWORK, BAG

1960s was the decade of extremes, space travel exploration and the hippies. Fashion demanded a new style of handbag. no longer determined by the couture houses. Many design cottage industries emerged encouraged by the alternative life-styles begun in the 1960s. New and different materials were introduced in women’s accessories.

This handbag, made of discs cut from coconut shells and attached to cotton fabric backing with black glass seed beads, illustrates the break-away from traditional styles. Every disc is a different shape. Handle made of speckled tan, round wooden beads.

The top section on front of bag, has decorative embellishments - 5 mother-of-pearl shell discs form a semi-circle, on top of which are 6 + rows of tubular shaped wooden beads.