Posts Tagged ‘art’
May 21st, 2010 | 
Author: 
Handmade Bags to Designer Purses – A Colorful History
From hunters and gatherers to divas and fashionistas, handbags and purses have played a colorful role throughout history. As society has evolved, culturally and technologically, so has the bag. The bag has evolved from its early form as a practical carrier of berries, flint and other provisional materials to a major player in the modern-day culture of designer fashion.
The first bag was most likely animal skins sewn together by animal skin lacing. Nothing fancy, nothing cherished, nothing designer about it. Just a practical container for flint, food and a tool or two. These bag owners were hunters or gatherers. Like any survival tool, bags were functional objects whose sole purpose was for provisional storage. These bags, more like pouches, were held together by a drawstring and fastened around the waist of the wearer. They had to be strong, secure and comfortable to carry. Style and grace were not considerations in the making of these bags.
Up until the mid-nineteenth century, women’s bags were tiny mesh embroidered bags with a drawstring closure. They wore these purses around their waists and hips, particularly on the lavish girdles fashionable for women at the time. These purses were too small to carry much of anything, and husbands had to carry around their wives’ fans, perfume, makeup and whatever else was too large for the tiny purse. Furthermore, these tiny mesh embroidered bags revealed the woman’s contents inside, offering her no privacy at all.
At the time it was believed that only lower classes such as hard laborers and peasants carried shoulder bags held alongside their person. It was not until the 1860’s that the first real leather handbag was introduced. These handbags resembled small suitcases for traveling, with an exterior lock, key and ample space for personal belongings. For the first time in history women could carry around their own personal belongings with privacy. They no longer had to ask their husbands for their cigarettes, lighters, makeup, money, keys, hair clips and whatever else they carried out of the house. A woman could now conceal her own private little world in her handbag. A woman’s handbag soon became a portable home away from home; a secure compartment to house her personal items on the road.
From very humble beginnings, handmade bags evolved into a decorative work of art. Animal skins, plant fibers and synthetic materials are now processed into every size, shape, color and texture imaginable. Beads, stones, gems and precious metals are used as embellishments and lavish ornaments of design. Women today have closets full of bags, purses, handbags and clutches for every occasion. Long gone is the one-for-all handmade bag of the primitive past. Women have a day bag to take to the office, an exercise bag for the gym, a weekend bag for a getaway, a beach bag for summer, a basket purse for spring and, of course, a sexy little purse or two for evenings out.
Whatever the occasion, whatever the contents in need of carrying, a woman’s bag is a private, secret space all her own.
About the Author
Incredibly Handmade is a one of a kind shopping site with unique handmade bags, embroidered bags and other handmade accessories and ethnic crafts from around the world. Many of these ethnic accessories are handmade by hilltribe people such as the Mien, Karen and Hmong scattered throughout mountainous regions of Asia. Many hours go into the making of these unusual, one of a kind pieces. From classic and elegant to bohemian-chic, Incredibly Handmade has something unique for everyone. Feel free to visit our online store at http://incrediblyhandmade.com/
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Thai Silk Embroider Hand Shoulder Bag Hippie Purple 293 $7.99 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Hand Shoulder Bag Hippie Green 295 $7.99 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Hand Shoulder Bag Hippie Brown 297 $7.49 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Hand Shoulder Bag Hippie Blue 310 $7.29 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Hand Shoulder Bag Hippie Purple 267 $7.99 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Hand Shoulder Bag Hippie Black 263 $7.29 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Hand Shoulder Bag Hippie Black 203 $9.99 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Hand Shoulder Bag Hippie Purple 204 $9.99 |
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Cotton Embroider Shoulder HandBag Boho Hippie Black 167 $8.99 |
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THAI SILK HANDBAG Embroider Shoulder Bag Boho Hippie C $7.49 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Hand Shoulder Bag Hippie Black 91 $8.99 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Hand Shoulder Bag Hippie Black 263 $8.99 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Shoulder Bag Hippie Tote Purple 256 $6.99 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Hand Shoulder Bag Hippie Silver 47 $7.99 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Hand Shoulder Bag Hippie Black 263 $8.99 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Hand Shoulder Bag Hippie Blue 296 $7.29 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Hand Shoulder Bag Hippie Brown 65 $8.99 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Hand Shoulder Bag Hippie Brown 201 $8.99 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Hand Shoulder Bag Hippie Purple 204 $8.99 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Hand Shoulder Bag Hippie Green 205 $8.99 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Hand Shoulder Bag Tote Burgundy 206 $8.99 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Shoulder Bag Hippie Tote Purple 256 $6.99 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Hand Shoulder Bag Hippie Purple 215 $7.99 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Hand Shoulder Bag Hippie White 312 $8.99 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Hand Shoulder Bag Hippie RED 156 $9.99 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Hand Shoulder Bag Hippie Black 291 $7.99 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Hand Shoulder Bag Hippie Red 210 $8.99 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Shoulder HandBag Hippie Burgundy 94 $8.99 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Hand Shoulder Bag Hippie Purple 136 $7.29 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Hand Shoulder Bag Hippie Purple 311 $8.99 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Hand Shoulder Bag Boho Green 24 $8.99 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Hand Shoulder Bag Boho Burgundy 61 $7.99 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Hand Shoulder Bag Boho Cream 26 $8.99 |
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New Thai Shoulder Bag Embroider Hippie Handbag Boho F1 $16.97 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Hand Shoulder Bag Hippie Purple 301 $7.29 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Hand Shoulder Bag Hippie Gray 313 $7.29 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Shoulder Bag Hippie Turquoise 300 $8.99 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Hand Shoulder Bag Hippie Brown 306 $8.99 |
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Thai Silk Hippie Embroider Shoulder Handbag Purse B2 $13.99 |
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Thai Silk Embroider Hand Shoulder Bag Turquoise 207 new $8.99 |
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Union Bay Faux Reptile Bird Embroidered Shoulder Bag $29.99 This Union Bay handbag is made of faux reptile skin materials and features embroidered bird patches. Brushed gold-tone metal completes the look of this cute yet tough hobo bag. |
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Fendi Borsa Mia Embroidered Linen Shoulder Bag $1099.99 Constructed in natural linen and finished with a large metal logo, the Borsa Mia shoulder bag from Fendi offers a vintagey look. Embroidered white flowers and piping get an update from the chain-and-leather handles featured on this handbag. |
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Union Bay Embroidered Bird Shoulder Bag $22.99 This simple and small shoulder bag by Union Bay is perfect for everyday use. This cute bag features embroidered birds on a flap that secures with a magnetic snap. |
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Embroidered Shoulder Bag (Guatemala) $21.29 Tote your things in style with an embroidered Guatemalan shoulder bag. This bag blends indigenous weaving and embroidery techniques with contemporary colors and design concepts. |
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‘Golden Stars Align’ Beaded Handbag (India) $109.49 Stunning evening bag touts a contemporary flairElongated clutch features sparkling beads separated by bands of zardozi embroideryAccessory has embroidery created in India’s traditional salma style |
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Beaded Batik ‘Royal Garden’ Handbag (Indonesia) $33.99 Serene flora and bird motifs make tote is a perfect wardrobe accessoryFabric purse adorned with gold plastic beadsShimmery jungle leaves make this a must-have addition to your handbag collection |
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‘Stitch Sizzle’ Fair Trade Handbag (India) $31.99 Accessorize in exotic style with a handmade bag from IndiaBeaded and embroidered handbag features various hand block printed fabricsAccessory is pieced together using embroidery stitches |
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Bordado Handmade Large Grey Handbag (Guatemala) $31.99 Handcrafted bag is a made within indigenous native villages in Central AmericaButton-top handbag features three embroidered flowers along the frontWomen’s accessory crafted of 100-percent all natural wool |
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Rasta Style Beaded Hemp Shoulder Bag (Thailand) $27.99 Slip this shoulder bag on and capture the spirit of the island of Jamaica. This handbag is made of durable colorful hemp and features decorative black beads that add a bohemian flair. |
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Union Bay Bird Embroidered Cross-body Bag $24.99 Three birds embroidered on the front of this Union Bay bag add an interesting touch. A textured exterior and adjustable shoulder strap make this versatile handbag a must-have. |
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