Austrian Bags and Purses. Identifying where a bag comes from can be quite difficult. Luckily some have their makers marks inside or hallmarks which help with the identification. Sometimes it is possible to identify them by their design, as with the pouch below which has a typical Tyrolean design to it.
Below are some examples, information and price guides of Austrian bags and purses including a micro beaded floral purse and an Austrian scenery bag.
AUSTRIAN JEWELED MICRO BEADED PURSE Micro beaded purse, circa 1920s – 1930s, ornate jeweled and enameled gold tone frame with bright floral design and twisted fringe. “Made in Austria” tag inside. Includes small mirror.
Sold for $260 at Omnia Auctions in 2021
Pouch 1830–60
The unusual pattern on this bag from the Tyrolean region of Austria is made particularly effective by the use of orange beads. The mottled surface of the beads adds to the design, giving it a textural effect. .
Reference: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
LADY’S SAPPHIRE EVENING BAG Of rectangular outline composed of bi-coloured mesh linking, the fold-over top millegrain-set with a cabochon sapphire, the bar opening set at each end with an additional cabochon sapphire, to a fancy-link chain handle, bag measuring approximately 123 x 150mm, Austrian assay marks, enclosing a smaller coin purse, measuring approximately 75 x 87mm, combined gross weight approximately 234 grams.
Sold for 4,375 GBP at Sotheby’s in 2019
The 1925 Exhibition of Decorative Arts in Paris defined innovative designs and modern motifs, a style in which art and industry merged. These bold new styles could be applied to goods on a mass scale and were typified by a decisive geometry and an element of romantic figuration. Art Deco had a great influence on jewellery design and companies such as Tiffany, Boucheron and Cartier made many small expensive accessories that were related to the handbag, such as tiny vanity and cigarette cases. This example is designed by Hilde Wagner-Ascher who, in the early 1920s, studied under the painter Josef Hoffman in Vienna.
Reference: © Victoria and Albert Museum
15th The Kings Hussars: A good quality officer’s full dress sabretache, circa 1840-1880, the red cloth face overlaid with outer Austrian Ware train lace, centrally a five hooped crown over a profusion of battle honour, trophies of arms, etc., Royal crest to centre, bag of red moroccan leather, remains of a Victorian trade label, the gold lace dulled and dirty overall, requires careful cleaning, slight worm damage to bag.
Sold for £ 1,034 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2004
Austrian Beaded Scenery Bag Mid 19th century Glass beads depict turreted Austrian castle beside lake, with beaded fringe on bottom and rigid gilt engraved clasp,
Sold for $776 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle in 2004
