Antique c.1920 Pansy Flower Glass Beaded Wristlet Purse Art Deco Floral Coin Bag
Description
A beautiful and unusual antique glass beaded wristlet purse, dating to approximately 1915–1925 and formed in the shape of a large pansy flower.
The dimensional flower is densely worked in tiny glass beads in soft ivory, lavender blue and deep iridescent blue, with individual overlapping petals creating a wonderfully sculptural design. The purse is finished with an integral beaded wrist loop and opens discreetly at the top.
A particularly charming survivor from the early 20th century and a wonderful example of the intricate beadwork associated with evening accessories of the period. Similar figural pansy wristlet purses are associated with the 1920s. The pansy was a particularly sentimental motif, traditionally associated with thoughts, remembrance and affection — its name deriving from the French pensée, meaning “thought”.
Features / Details
Circa 1915–1925
Figural pansy flower design
Tiny glass seed bead construction
Ivory, lavender blue and iridescent dark blue beadwork
Raised, overlapping dimensional petals
Integral beaded wrist strap
Soft textile-lined interior
Small fastening to the opening
Unlabelled
A highly decorative collector's piece
Measurements
Please add your measurements for:
Approx. width across flower 3"
Approx. height of flower 3"
Overall length including wrist loop 6.5"
Condition
Fair antique condition with wear consistent with an item approximately 100 years old.
The main pansy remains wonderfully decorative with extensive original beadwork surviving. There is age-related bead loss, loose threads and wear in places.
Please note in particular that the wrist loop has significant deterioration to the original foundation fabric/lining, with the internal textile exposed and frayed. There is also age-related deterioration and wear around the interior and fastening area, all clearly photographed.
Because of its age and the fragility of the wrist strap, I would recommend this primarily as a collectible/display piece rather than for regular use.
Please study all photographs carefully as they form an important part of the condition description.
