The Glass Peacock Evening Bag
 
Once upon a time, during the glittering evenings of the 1920s and 1930s, an evening bag was designed to be part of the occasion itself. Beautifully dressed women carried richly embellished bags to dinners, dances, and nights out. They chose pieces that shimmered beneath chandeliers and added another layer of glamour to an evening ensemble.
 
This extraordinary piece is attributed to the Art Deco Era and is covered in intricate hand sewn glass beadwork. Thousands of tiny beads have been carefully woven across the surface, creating an elaborate repeating pattern with the richness and detail of a miniature tapestry.
 
The craftsmanship becomes even more remarkable when viewed closely. Each motif has been built bead by bead, with deep peacock blues and forest greens woven throughout the design. The glass catches the light beautifully, giving the entire surface a subtle jewel-like shimmer.
 
A Little Peacock Magic
 
The body of the bag is beautifully structured and substantial, with a heavy quality tapestry foundation beneath the beadwork.
 
Its elegant metal frame is finished with a polished spherical clasp, while the sweeping ebony-coloured Bakelite handle gives the bag its wonderfully distinctive silhouette.
Inside, the original faux leather lining remains, complete with its little interior pocket and zippered compartment.
 
Attributed to the European fashion houses of the period, it is a wonderful surviving example of the elaborate hand-beaded bags fashionable during the 1920s and 1930s.
 
Why it’s so special
 
This treasure is one of those rare pieces where the craftsmanship is almost impossible to appreciate until you see it closely. Thousands of individual glass beads have been worked together to create a richly patterned surface that feels more like textile art than simple decoration.
 
Nearly a century later, it still has all the glamour it was created with. Beautiful as a collectible piece of fashion history, and equally striking carried for a special occasion, it is an extraordinary survivor from an era when accessories were made to be treasured.
 
A Little Piece of its Story
 
This treasure comes with its own illustrated Collector’s Card, created especially for the piece and filled with details of its history, era and craftsmanship. A beautiful little keepsake to accompany your treasure, allowing its story to travel with it and be treasured alongside it for years to come.
 
Condition and Character
 
This evening bag is in incredible vintage condition for its age. The vast majority of its intricate glass beadwork remains beautifully intact, which is remarkable for a piece approaching a century in age. There are a small number of beads that have become a little loose over time, though they remain attached and sit naturally within the overall design.
 
Inside, the original lining is made from a coated fabric designed to imitate the smooth appearance of leather, a beautiful leather-effect finish used in accessories of the period. Over almost a century, some of this delicate surface coating has naturally worn away, revealing glimpses of the original fabric beneath. It gives the interior a wonderful sense of age and authenticity, a little reminder of just how long this extraordinary bag has survived.
 
The original metal frame, spherical clasp and Bakelite handle are also beautifully preserved, with gentle signs of age consistent with a treasured piece dating to the 1920s–1930s.
Please look carefully through all photographs, which form part of the condition description.
 
🧚‍♀️ A Little Note from the Antique Fairy 🧚‍♀️
As with all vintage darlings, these pieces have lived a life or two and may have tiny surface scratches here or there as part of their story. I do my very best to capture any little whispers of wear in photos and notes. I also try to photograph each treasure in different light so you can see the colour as clearly as possible. Even so, tones may vary a little from screen to screen.
If you have any questions or just want to chat about this treasure, feel free to reach out 😊