by Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson
Scripps Howard News Service
Dear Helaine and Joe: My husband's aunt passed away and he inherited all her "stuff." In one of the boxes was this beaded bag. Can you tell me anything about it? It is covered with tiny beads, has a gold satin lining and is 6 by 6 inches. There is a label inside that says "Hand Made in Belgium."
--B. J., Grand Island, Neb.
Dear B. J.: Beaded bags have been fashionable in one form or another for more than 200 years. Early examples tended to be the "reticule" type, which is a bag that closes with a draw string.
Beaded bags could be very expensive when they were new, and in the early 19th century a bag might cost as much as $5--a great deal of money in those days. By the early 20th century prices had reached $100 or more for some examples. At that time, this amount of money would feed a family of four for months.
Beaded bags are seldom signed by their makers, but from time to time, names such as "Dubonnet Original" and "Fabienne, Paris" will turn up, and this can enhance the value somewhat. In general, however, most markings found on beaded bags usually refer to the metal content of the frame or to the bag's country of origin. Such designations as "Made in France" or "Made in Belgium" are commonly found on cloth tags sewn to the interior lining and indicate a mid-20th century or later origin.
The monetary worth of any beaded bag can be enhanced by a metal frame made from either gold or silver. Occasionally, these frames will be studded with "jewels" that in some rare cases are genuine, but in most instances are fake. Nevertheless, it is always a good idea to check with a jeweler or gemologist to learn the exact nature of any stone that glitters on a beaded bag's frame.
In the current marketplace, large beaded bags with tiny micro beads exquisitely arranged in an elaborate scenic or other rare design have been known to bring prices in the $10,000 range. But before B. J. gets too excited, her bag does not come anywhere near this exalted value.
To be sure, the bag in today's question is a very attractive evening bag from the third quarter of the 20th century, but the beading is much too simple and generic for this particular purse to have a significant dollar value. In edition, the condition seen in the photograph appears to be somewhat soiled and this will diminish the value considerably.
The frame on the bag belonging to B. J. is strictly utilitarian and the serpentine beading with small pearls is typical of the work found on bags made in Belgium. If this piece were in pristine "I am going to carry it to a party" condition, its insurance replacement value would be between $75 and $100. But with a soiled outer cover,that price is probably reduced by half or more.
(Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson are the authors of Treasures in Your Attic. Questions can by mailed to them at P.O. Box 12208, Knoxville, TN 37912-0208.)
Resources Treasures In Your Attic
by Joe L. Rosson, Helaine Fendelman (ISBN: 0060198273)
Subtitled: An entertaining, informative, down-to-earth guide to a wide range of collectibles and antiques from the hosts of the popular television show seen on PBS stations.
(Harper Resource, April 2001)
Order this
title.
Treasures In Your Attic
c/o WSJK/WKOP-TV
1611 E. Magnolia Ave.
Knoxville, TN 37917
Phone: 865-595-0220
Fax: 865-595-0300
Email:
elaine_tomber@wsjk.pbs.org
URL:
www.treasuresinyourattic.org
)
