History of Handbags!!

                                                              History of the Handbag!!!

The first known appearance of handbags was seen in Egyptian hieroglyphics and stone carvings in the Middle East.  Some were worn around the waist while others seem to be held in the hand as offerings.  The following are some examples of such stone carvings...

This stone 'bag' is from Jiroft, Iran (5-7,000 yrs old):

photos courtesy of:   www.crystalink.com/sumergodstree;  www.crystalinks.com/nimrodpurse2.jpg; www.test.travelblog.org/Photos/523062.html

The next time that handbags were supposedly seen was not until the 14th Century Europe (a long long time to not be seen I think, but I couldn't find proof otherwise).  It seems that these handbags were mostly used by women, were attached to their dresses or girdles.  The bags were made out of fine silks and very elaborately decorated with beading and silver and gold-threaded embroidery.  They were a status symbol as well as serving an utilitarian purpose.  See attached photos:

Photos courtesy of: adventuresingarb.blogspot.com; www.gotgarb.com; and www.photrmn.fr

In the 15th century it was common for both men and women to carry a handbag.  According to Wikipedia, it was also common for men to give their new brides a purse that was embroidered with an intricate depiction of a love story.  Because ladies gowns were getting more and more detailed, ladies often chose to wear their flat-styled handbags under their dresses/skirts. Here are some examples:                                                                                                                                     

photos coutesy of: saramharveyblogspot.com; pages.videotron.com; and www.dargate.com

In the 16th century, handbags generally started to become trite and made out of less precious materials (to become more durable and affordable, I presume?).  Many bags were made out of leather or cloth with drawstring closures.  Also at this time people started to wear their handbags across their chests.            

(photo courtesy of: love-handbags-for-life.co.uk)

In 17th Century Europe, men mostly stopped carrying handbags due to the increased pocket space in the new breeches that were popular.  It was also supposedly common for women to hand embroider their own handbags as women were taught sewing/embroidery to make them better marriage material. The first picture is a marriage bag; the second is a teardrop belt purse, and the last image is an intricate bag from holland.

(photos courtesy of: www.karlrobinson.co.uk; www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk; and www.us.holland.com)

In 18th century Europe, women's purses faded in popularity until the French Revolution when the neo-classcical clothing once again had fewer underclothings and ladies needed space to store their belongings.  Many ladies had several handbags and in them they usuallt stored things similar to what may be found in a modern purse... rouge, fans, face powder, visiting cards, smelling salts, etc. 

(information from:  love-handbags-for-life.co.uk and wikipedia.com)     Some examples follow... 

(photos courtesy of:www.dargate.com, and www.

The 19th century saw many changes in handbags.  Due to the vastly changing world, the industrial revolution, and better travel mobility, styles changed quickly.  The first bag is from the first half of the century and resembles the 18th century bags.  The second bag is also from the early part of the century, but from Asia and quite different in style and cannot hold as many things.  The third bag is made from a metal mesh and from the latter half of the 19th century.

(photos courtesy of: www.thimblesociety.com, www.mfa.com, and www.cecilhigginsartgallery.org)

The 20th century perhaps saw the biggest change in the textiles used to create handbags and the degree to which they could be mass-produced.  New products such as plastic, rayon, and many other synthetics have created to capabilities in handbags capabilities.  Although leather, metal, shell, and beading still remain just as prevalent as ever.  Styles of bags seemed to get smaller when fashion silhouettes became more streamlined and became larger when fashion styles also became more less-fitted and billowy.    Some examples are: 

1) early 20th century:

                                                                                                           

2) 1920's:

3) 1950's:

4) 1980's:

(photos courtesy of: www.museumoflondon.org/uk; www.coogles.com; www.picasaweb.google.com; www.lucumafashion.com)  

The 21st century:  With new textile and mechanical inventions continuing to develop rapidly, the future of every type of fashion piece is limitless.  It will be so exciting to see what becomes of everyday items such as the handbag... what will it be able to do for us?? ...It's pretty cool to think about....