This vintage flapper purse has a wonderful beaded figural design with a royal blue bird as the central motif, surrounded by orange/red roses with green leaves on a gold color background.  The bird is a striking contrast and stands out well in the design.  The bag is finished with a geometric design, rather than a loose, beaded fringe.

The purse frame is very nice and is decorated with roses and has a nice patina; the clasp is tipped with blue glass that matches the color of the bird.  I don’t see a weave under magnification, so I think the lining is of leather chamois.  There is also a small interior pocket.

The condition is good to very good.  The glass beading is fully intact and the fringe trim is complete.  There is one place where it looks like a thread broke and was maybe tied.  (See photo showing “Side B Zoom”)  It looks like all the beads remain, but I’m not 100% certain.  The bag is either a replacement on the frame or was very inexpertly done originally.  Either way, it appears to be old thread so was done some time ago.  Both corners, at the hinge are “messy”.  The lining is sturdy but is not attached behind the small pocket – yet I don’t see stitch holes.

Many of these old beaded handbags were done by hand, from patterns in ladies magazines or instruction booklets that were available in the 1920s and 1930s.  It’s possible that this sweet purse was done by a lady who was able to do the beading nicely, but wasn’t and expert seamstress. 

Even with its flaws, it displays beautifully and has a particularly nice figural design.