Not on display

Handbag

1945 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Rationing and material restrictions did not cease immediately after the Second World War. Dating from the first years after the war, this bag, made from top-quality reptile skin and lined in silk, would have been viewed as a luxury. It is characteristic of the smart, neat and stylish, but restrained, designs of the immediate post-war period. Styles at this time were either large and structured, or like this bag, smaller, and casual, to hang at the wrist. Made from top-quality skin and lined in silk, this handbag was highly priced. It is characteristic of the smart, neat and stylish, but restrained, designs of the period.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Bag
  • Purse
Materials and techniques
Reptile skin lined in silk and gold metal
Brief description
Handbag and purse of brown reptile skin lined with silk, made by Fassbender, Great Britain, 1945
Physical description
Handbag and purse of brown reptile (lizard) skin. The handbag is lined in silk. Gold metal clasp.
Production typeLimited edition
Gallery label
(1997)
Made from top-quality skins and lined in silk, these handbags were highly priced. They are characteristic of the smart, neat and stylish, but restrained, designs of the period.
Credit line
Given by Mrs P. Mines
Object history
Registered File number 1988/1914.
This handbag was shown with a similar Fassbender bag (T.171-1962) in 1997 'The Cutting Edge' exhibition.
Summary
Rationing and material restrictions did not cease immediately after the Second World War. Dating from the first years after the war, this bag, made from top-quality reptile skin and lined in silk, would have been viewed as a luxury. It is characteristic of the smart, neat and stylish, but restrained, designs of the immediate post-war period. Styles at this time were either large and structured, or like this bag, smaller, and casual, to hang at the wrist. Made from top-quality skin and lined in silk, this handbag was highly priced. It is characteristic of the smart, neat and stylish, but restrained, designs of the period.
Bibliographic reference
de la Haye, Amy, ed. The Cutting Edge: 50 Years of British Fashion 1947-1997. London : V&A Publications, 1997, p. 152 and 159.
Collection
Accession number
T.43&A-1989

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Record createdSeptember 11, 2003
Record URL
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