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Articles: Fashion - Beaded Bags
By Henrietta
Timmons
Have you ever gone to an estate sale or auction and
wondered if that beaded bag that seems such a deal is really
valuable? To be able to tell, first you need to know a little about
the history of the beaded bag.
Handmade beaded bags originated about 200 years ago and
have been one of the costliest bags ever due to the unique
workmanship that had to go into each handbag. For example, around
1800, the price for a beaded bag was about $5.00. By the early
1900's, European beaded bags cost about $100.00, which was a very
large sum at the time. You can usually tell the age of a beaded bag
based on certain indications such as the size of the beads (bags
from the mid-1800's are made with very small, fine beads - about
1,000 beads per square inch). The motifs of bags (their designs)
have changed over the years.
Funeral scenes were common on
beaded bags in the early 1800's but from 1820 to about 1860,
beautiful outdoor scenes, historical landmarks, and romantic
interludes were depicted.
The major design scheme in these
early bags consisted of 3 defined horizontal layers knitted into the
bag. The bottom usually had a tassel in the middle unless the bottom
was square, which usually meant that fringe would be used instead.
The middle section (the largest) had illustrated scenes. The top had
a pattern that complimented the entire design and usually closed
with a drawstring or clasp. These beaded bags were cherished and
passed down from generation to generation.
To sum up our
criteria for a valuable beaded bag:
Valuable bags from the
1800's had very small beads, usually about 1,000 per square inch.
Beaded bags from the early 1800's usually had funeral scenes as
their design but starting around 1820, outdoor scenes and romantic
tryst were often used.
Bags from the 1800's had 3 distinct
horizontal knitted layers. The largest section was the middle, which
had the motif design.
There was usually tassel or fringe at the
bottom of the bag.
If you are lucky enough to have inherited
one of these fabulous bags or found one at an estate sale, it may be
worth a great deal of money ($500.00-$1,000.00). The intrinsic
value, however, of this family heirloom goes far beyond mere
finances to the core of what makes you part of a much larger human
connection. Enjoy this representation of the past and tell it's
story to your own children when you continue the tradition of the
beaded bag.
Henrietta Timmons is a handbag and purse
pattern designer with an online store located at http://henriettashandbags.com
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