1930s Art Deco Oxblood Leather Handbag – Déposé Metal Clasp Vintage Frame Bag
Description
Beautiful and unusual 1930s–1940s Art Deco leather handbag, crafted in rich oxblood/chestnut brown leather with an exceptionally distinctive metal frame and mechanical clasp stamped “DÉPOSÉ”.
The front of the handbag has a wonderful sculptural Art Deco design, with sweeping curved leather panels and three individually pinched and stitched decorative pleats. Combined with the substantial metal frame, it gives the bag a striking architectural appearance typical of the streamlined designs of the period.
The unusual clasp mechanism is stamped DÉPOSÉ, indicating a registered design. This terminology is associated with French and Continental manufacture/design registration, although no maker's name has been found, so the country of manufacture cannot be confirmed.
The bag is beautifully constructed throughout, with a leather-lined interior rather than the more commonly encountered fabric lining. Inside are several useful compartments, including a large leather slip pocket and a separate snap-fastened compartment.
The original short leather carrying handle remains attached to the rear of the bag.
A particularly lovely example of pre-/mid-century handbag design and a wonderful piece for a collector of Art Deco fashion and accessories.
Details
Circa 1930s–1940s
Genuine leather construction
Rich oxblood / chestnut brown colour
Sculptural asymmetric Art Deco front
Decorative hand-formed leather pleating
Substantial metal frame
Unusual mechanical clasp
Clasp stamped DÉPOSÉ
Fully leather-lined interior
Multiple internal compartments
Snap-fastened interior pocket
Original leather handle
No maker's label found
Measurements
Width: 11.5"
Height excluding clasp: 8"
Depth: 2"
Handle drop: 7.5
Measurements are approximate and taken at the widest points where applicable.
Condition
Good vintage condition for its considerable age.
There is age-related wear and patination throughout, including surface marks and variations to the leather, wear to the original handle, marks to the leather lining and tarnishing/ageing to the metal frame and clasp. Please see photographs closely as these form part of the description.
The aged leather and metalwork give the bag considerable character and have been left largely untouched rather than heavily restored.
A wonderful surviving approximately 80–90-year-old handbag with a particularly unusual period clasp and beautiful Art Deco detailing.
