Handbag

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.

Physical description

Handbag and purse of brown reptile (lizard) skin. The handbag is lined in silk. Gold metal clasp.

Place of Origin

Great Britain, UK (made)

Date

1945 (made)

Artist/maker

Fassbender (maker)

Materials and Techniques

Reptile skin lined in silk and gold metal

Object history note

Registered File number 1988/1914.
This handbag was shown with a similar Fassbender bag (T.171-1962) in 1997 'The Cutting Edge' exhibition.

Descriptive line

Handbag and purse of brown reptile skin lined with silk, made by Fassbender, Great Britain, 1945

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

de la Haye, Amy, ed. The Cutting Edge: 50 Years of British Fashion 1947-1997. London : V&A Publications, 1997, p. 152 and 159.

Exhibition History

The Cutting Edge: 50 Years of British Fashion 1947-1997 (Victoria and Albert Museum 01/01/1997-31/12/1997)

Labels and date

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. [1997]

Materials

Silk (textile); Metal; Lizard leather

Techniques

Lined

Production Type

Limited edition

Collection code

T&D

Please complete the form to email this item.

Explore related objects

Category

Material

Technique

Name

Place

Exhibition

Collection