Vintage Art Deco Style Bugle Beaded Convertible Flap Bag in Gold
Clutch / Convertible Shoulder Bag with a curved envelope flap · Unbranded / Lumured style; typically manufactured by mid-tier labels such as Lumured, La Regale, or Walborg. Popular for mass-market luxury appeal.
Collection: Mid-century Eveningwear Collection; permanent style for evening accessories throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
Style
Clutch / Convertible Shoulder Bag with a curved envelope flap
Brand
Unbranded / Lumured style; typically manufactured by mid-tier labels such as Lumured, La Regale, or Walborg. Popular for mass-market luxury appeal.
Material
Hand-applied glass bugle beads and seed beads on a satin or acetate fabric base; structured with internal buckram or heavy interfacing.
Dimensions
Width: 25cm (10"), Height: 12cm (4.7"), Depth: 3cm (1.2"), Strap Drop: 50cm (20").
Description
This exquisite vintage evening bag features a shimmering landscape of gold bugle beads painstakingly arranged to catch the light from every angle. Its curved flap adds a feminine softness to the structured rectangular body, making it a timeless choice for formal events.
Key Features
Concentric semicircular beading on the flap; vertical bugle bead columns on the body; convertible chain functionality; hand-sewn bead rows.
Material & Construction
Hand-applied glass bugle beads and seed beads on a satin or acetate fabric base; structured with internal buckram or heavy interfacing.
Color & Pattern
Metallic Gold; features a radiating sunburst or tiered pattern on the flap and vertical striping on the body using aligned bugle beads.
Hardware Details
Silver-tone snake-link or twisted curb chain; simple magnetic snap or tension metal frame hidden under the flap.
Interior Description
Champagne or gold satin lining; typically features one small slip pocket for a mirror or lipstick; 'Made in Japan' or 'Made in Hong Kong' fabric tag common.
Closure Type
Magnetic snap or press-stud hidden beneath the center of the curved flap.
Strap & Handle Details
Detachable or tuck-away silver-tone chain strap; allows for transition between a shoulder bag and a hand-held clutch.
Craftsmanship Details
High precision beading; consistent tension in the threading; neatly finished fabric piping at the edges; secure anchoring of the metal chain loops.
Authentication Indicators
Weight of glass beads (not plastic); uniform spacing of Hand-sewn rows; vintage-style lining textures; absence of modern laser-etched hardware.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely manufactured in Japan or Hong Kong, which were the primary hubs for high-quality hand-beading during this era.
Era & Period
Mid-Century / 1960s Revival of Art Deco; characterized by geometric beadwork and 'It-Bag' evening aesthetics of the socialite era.
Age Estimate
Circa 1950s to early 1960s based on the bead style, chain design, and construction technique.
Cultural Significance
Represents the post-war boom in cocktail culture and the democratization of glamour, where intricate hand-work became accessible to the middle class.
Condition Notes
Excellent vintage condition; appears to have all beads intact. Minor surface scratches on the chain; fabric edges show minimal fraying. Structure is well-preserved.
Value Estimate
$45 - $85 USD; value is driven by the completeness of the beadwork and the demand for vintage 'Mid-Century Modern' fashion accessories.
Care & Maintenance
Avoid contact with knit fabrics (beads can snag); store in a soft dust bag; do not overfill to prevent stretching the bead threads; clean beads with a dry microfiber cloth.
Similar Handbags
Walborg Beaded Clutches (similar craftsmanship), La Regale Mesh Bags (different material, same silhouette), Moynat Evening Bags (high luxury equivalent).
Interesting Facts
These bags were often sold in high-end department stores like Neiman Marcus or Saks Fifth Avenue as 'Hand-beaded' luxury imports from the Far East.
Notes
Termed