Vintage Seed Bead Frame Evening Bag in Alabaster White
Evening Bag / Frame Bag / Pouchette with Top Handle · Likely Lumured, Walborg, or La Regale. These brands focused on mid-tier accessible luxury evening wear, often sold in department stores like Marshall Field's or Macy's.
Collection: Mid-Century Evening Accessory Line; these were often produced as seasonal staples throughout the 1950s and 60s without specific collection names.
Style
Evening Bag / Frame Bag / Pouchette with Top Handle
Brand
Likely Lumured, Walborg, or La Regale. These brands focused on mid-tier accessible luxury evening wear, often sold in department stores like Marshall Field's or Macy's.
Material
The bag features micro-glass seed beads hand-sewn or tambour-stitched onto a silk or satin backing. It utilizes a soft-sided construction gathered into a rigid metal top frame.
Dimensions
Width: 18cm (7in), Height: 15cm (6in), Depth: 3cm (1.2in), Handle Drop: 12cm (4.7in). This is a petite 'Formal' size variant.
Description
An exquisite example of Mid-Century evening elegance, this beaded pouchette features a shimmering sea of white seed beads arranged in intricate swirling patterns. Its soft, rounded silhouette contrasts beautifully with the sharp, gold-tone frame, creating a piece that captures the light with every movement. A quintessential 'Mother of the Bride' or 'Prom' accessory from the golden age of American department stores, it represents a time when evening accessories were essential components of formal etiquette.
Key Features
The distinctive 'vermicelli' bead pattern, the bead-wrapped handle which is often the first part to show wear, and the gathered fabric at the frame which creates a pleated, voluminous look.
Material & Construction
The bag features micro-glass seed beads hand-sewn or tambour-stitched onto a silk or satin backing. It utilizes a soft-sided construction gathered into a rigid metal top frame.
Color & Pattern
Alabaster White / Cream. The pattern is a 'Vermicelli' or 'Scroll' motif, where lines of beads are applied in swirling, non-linear paths to create texture and depth.
Hardware Details
Gold-tone brass frame with a slim profile. The closure is a standard 'Kiss-lock' or 'Lift-lock' mechanism. Hardware shows a polished finish with light texture on the frame edge.
Interior Description
Usually lined in white or cream silk or acetate satin. Typically contains one small interior slip pocket (often referred to as a 'card' or 'lipstick' pocket) and a woven fabric brand label.
Closure Type
Mechanical snap top-frame closure with a lift-to-open latch. It provides high security for small items due to the tension of the metal frame.
Strap & Handle Details
A single fixed-length top handle constructed of a reinforced core completely wrapped in matching white seed beads, attached via hidden hinges inside the frame.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality tambour beading where threads are pulled through the back of the fabric. The edges where the fabric meets the frame are tucked and glued/sewn with high precision to prevent fraying under the weight of the beads.
Authentication Indicators
Symmetry in the beadwork swirls; tightness of the bead strands; consistent gold-plating on the frame; presence of a 'Made in Japan' or 'Made in Hong Kong' tag inside would be the primary verifier.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely manufactured in Japan or Hong Kong. Post-WWII, these regions became the primary hubs for high-quality, labor-intensive hand-beaded work for the Western market.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern (Late 1950s to Mid-1960s). This style reflects the 'Total Look' era of fashion where accessories perfectly matched formal cocktail dresses.
Age Estimate
Circa 1955-1965 based on the style of the seed beads, the mechanical latch design, and the scroll tambour pattern common in that decade.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of luxury; hand-beaded items that looked like haute couture became available to the middle-class woman through specialized import houses.
Condition Notes
Very Good vintage condition. No visible bead loss (common in the corners). The hardware shows minimal oxidation. The structure remains supple but maintains its pouch shape. Lining is not visible but assumed clean.
Value Estimate
Current resale value: $45 - $85 USD. Factors affecting price include bead integrity, absence of yellowing/staining, and the condition of the handle core.
Care & Maintenance
Do not dry clean. Spot clean beads with a damp cloth only. Store in a soft cotton dust bag (avoid plastic). Stuff lightly with acid-free tissue to maintain the pouch shape and prevent the frame from stressing the fabric.
Similar Handbags
Cordeé beaded bags (often more structured), Josef beaded bags (higher-end, often European), or contemporary versions by Moyna or Staud which lack the vintage frame tension.
Interesting Facts
In the 1950s, women were often taught that a white beaded bag was a 'wardrobe essential' for summer weddings and semi-formal events, leading to a massive production boom of these styles.