A french handbag decorated with petit point embroidery. France second half of 19th century.

France, seond half of 20th century.

Lady’s handbag with chain and sharp-cornered hinge in gilded brass. The hinge features a cloisonné enamel decoration with stylised green and white flowers on a black background, adorned with openwork motifs and corners. At the corners are small garnet stones as well as the one in the opening button.
The fabric of the bag is entirely decorated with petit point, with a rare and complex exotic scene recalling the ‘Indies’ with a harnessed elephant in the centre. The decoration is mirrored on both sides of the bag. The edge features motifs that precede the Austrian Jugenstil. The art of ‘petit point’ originated in France and was very successful in the rest of Europe, becoming increasingly refined. France circa 1880.

9” – 23 CM H 7” – 18 CM L 1,5” – 3 CM D

REF: M5737