Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
BE2003.2.148 |
Object Name |
Purse |
Description |
A green, metal, evening purse. There are orange and blue flowers, with green leaves, painted on the outside. These designs are faded and not very distinct. The chain mail is attached to a 1/2 cm meta-frame, which contains the clasp and a 16 cm long looped chain-link handle. The metal frame appears to be brass, in part painted green, with a raised decorative design. The bottom of the purse ends in five inverted triangles. The inside is pale green silk. Inside the metal frame is a stamp, reading: 'BIRKS' 'GERMANY'. |
Year Range from |
1920 |
Dimensions |
W-11 L-14 cm |
History |
This chain purse belonged to Annie Harris (1882-1986). Chain mesh purses were popular in the 1920s-30s. Women's fashions in Canada during the 1920s focused on decorative trims, mainly in the form of beading and embroidery, in mass production. The metal frame was made by Birks which is a well-known jewellery store in Canada. Founded in 1879 by Henry Birks (1840-1928) who opened up his first store on St. James Street. In 1893 the company was reorganized to include Henry's three sons: William Massey, John Henry Metcalfe and Gerald Walker. Birks and Sons would later acquire the Silversmiths and Electro Platers of Hendery and Leslie and opened up stores in other Canadian cities such as Ottawa and Winnipeg. In 2005 the Henry Birks and Sons Ltd chain merged with the American jewellery chain of Mayors Inc. to form Birks & Mayors. References: National Gallery of Canada www.national.gallery.ca/english/library/biblio/ngc037.html Western Libraries, Birks Canada www.lib.uwo.ca/programs/companyinformationcanada/birks.html, 1 Eaton's Spring and Summer Catalogue 1927, Vintage 1971 Reprint 100 Years of Canadian Women's Fashion by Caroline Router. Published in 1993 by Stoddart, Toronto Maison Birks https://www.maisonbirks.com/en_ca/heritage.html#:~:text=Henry%20Birks%20and%20Company%20was,to%20Henry%20Birks%20and%20Sons. |
People |
Sayers, Annie Harris |