Men were actually the very first to carry bags around not women. The women soon followed suit due to the many accessories that they needed to carry to maintain their beauty and poise. The tapestry handbag came to light around the start of the 1800’s. The art of weaving a tapestry handbag is first thought to have originated in the Aubusson region of France. This area was initially well known for creating life-sized and lifelike tapestries that was the rage at that time. Many of France’s wealthy families contracted weavers to make pieces to hang in their homes while others had women’s handbags made for the ladies of the household.
The painstaking process of weaving a tapestry could reach up to a year depending on the intricacy and size of the project. A tapestry handbag did not take as long as that to make. The most luxurious kinds of tapestry handbags ever created are the ones from the French Aubusson region made from dyed wool threads and silk threads. The colors were rich and deep and the fullness of the weaving was compact and thick.
A Unique History
A tapestry handbag made from the Aubusson region during the 1800’s usually had a story to tell. These stories were portrayed in the beautiful figures and subjects in the tapestry. The tapestry handbag from this period usually depicted ladies and gentlemen in romantic poses with numerous flowers, birds and other romantic figures integrated into the tapestry. The rich French ambiance was usually portrayed in the Aubusson tapestry handbags during this century.
Not only is the tapestry itself lavish but also the metal purse frames were embellished with semi precious stones and other decorations that just take one’s breath away. The tapestry handbag was then a sign of the status of the lady carrying it. The more lavish the tapestry handbag means the wealthier and more influential her family was. Some metal frames are gilded and have cherubs or pearls all over the frame.
Due to progress, hand weaving has since been taken over by machine weaving. The vintage Aubusson tapestry handbags are still found up to this day and age but their prices can be anywhere around a few hundred dollars to several thousands depending on the condition and the circa. There are still some artisans in the Aubusson region that make the renowned hand bags from tapestry but expect these to be expensive than the ones mass produced.
117DThis lovely handbag features shades of brown and gold patchwork with a side buckle design padded handles for ease in carrying large main compartment with top zip closure. Inside the handbag features a zippered privacy pocket for personal items and a cell phone pouch.
Laurel Burch Feline Faces Tapestry Cosmetic BagLaurel Burch shows off the beauty of the cats face with her interpretation in this Feline Faces bag. Add the perfect touch of whimsy to your accessory collection or to any luggage set. Artist Laurel Burch has a rare mastery for capturing the magical essence of cats. This bag is made of cotton tapestry cloth with a zippered top. It makes a fantastic gift for the cat lover or anyone who appreciates the whimsical artwork of Laurel Burch. This beautiful bag measures 9 inches x 1 inch x 6 inches.
White Boho Banjara Gypsy India Sari Tapestry Handbag PurseGorgeous vintage sari handbag ,tote,purse.
East meets west with this stylish bag, fashioned from vintage sari pieces. No two bags are alike! The trendy shape and wooden handles remain constant, but the bead patterns and colors are unique. Each purse also has a zip closure, cotton lining.The vibrant solids and vivacious prints from antique saris retain their life-embracing spirit but find new form in our sari bags.The layout of old sari quilts is such that when they are cut at random and made into bags they provide a unique configuration of hand-stitched floral patterns using vivid colors of India and making each bag unique and one of a kind
142AFeatures zippered closure one interior zippered pocket padded handles and a removable adjustable shoulder strap. Meaures 18" x 14" x 6-1/2".
Boho Banjara Gypsy India Sari Tapestry Handbag PurseGorgeous vintage sari handbag ,tote,purse.
East meets west with this stylish bag, fashioned from vintage sari pieces. No two bags are alike! The trendy shape and wooden handles remain constant, but the bead patterns and colors are unique. Each purse also has a zip closure, cotton lining.The vibrant solids and vivacious prints from antique saris retain their life-embracing spirit but find new form in our sari bags.The layout of old sari quilts is such that when they are cut at random and made into bags they provide a unique configuration of hand-stitched floral patterns using vivid colors of India and making each bag unique and one of a kind
A Passion for Purses, 1600-2005Women's purses are uniquely personal statements. Many antique beaded, textile, and leather purses have survived as treasured collectibles and new styles are fashion icons. This exquisite new book examines the passionate history, art, and design of antique, vintage, and contemporary purses in an informative and accessible format. Over 700 high quality purses were chosen from private collections, including Cora Ginsburg LLC, the premier dealer of antique textiles and costume in the United States. Many have never been published before, providing a fresh resource for collectors. Many pre-date 1860. Chapters cover the history of purses; pockets; misers; chatelaines; fabric, tapestry, and needlework purses; leather bags; dance, compact, and evening purses; wirework and mesh bags; beaded purses; tortoiseshell, shell, and ivory styles; souvenir and even plastic purses; and unique and very rare examples. Detail photos show particularly unusual features. A section on beaded purse repair, by Terri Lykins and the Antique Purse Collector's Society, offers tips and a new opportunity for collectors. Each caption provides detailed descriptions and current values, and the extensive bibliography gives many resources for further reading.