Identification
Photo reference
5 uploaded photos
Overview
A classic example of the 'handbag as jewelry' philosophy, this piece features signature 'Armor Mesh' in a radiant gold tone. The fluid metal fabric is paired with a sleek, structured frame and a delicate snake chain handle, epitomizing mid-century glamour.
Story
Whiting & Davis popularized the 'handbag as jewelry' concept, turning ancient chainmail designs into accessible modern fashion accessories. During the 1950s and 1960s, these liquid-gold-tone bags became ubiquitous Hollywood accessories, appearing at major galas and defining mid-century evening glamour.
Maker / Origin
Unattributed · Whiting & Davis Company, Plainville, Massachusetts, USA
Condition & Value
Because the interior label is illegible and mass-produced variants are abundant, value is heavily dependent on intact metal links, functional kiss-locks, and stain-free linings. The exterior mesh appears to be in excellent condition with no missing links or visible tarnishing.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
The market for mid-century Whiting & Davis gold-tone bags is well-documented but heavily saturated. Direct comparable sales across resale platforms (such as Etsy and Poshmark) establish a ceiling of $45 to $60 for pristine examples with fully legible labels and unblemished interiors. Conversely, traditional wholesale auction outcomes for comparable unverified metal pieces routinely clear between $25 and $40, particularly when lotted together. Because the subject's interior label is illegible, its maker attribution cannot be fully supported without identifying a stamped frame mark, removing the premium reserved for verifiably signed, pristine examples. The valuation of $25 to $50 reflects this specific condition penalty and acknowledges the zero intrinsic material value of untested base metal.
▲ Signature fluid mesh construction typical of mid-century American accessory design
▲ Strong functional appeal as a versatile vintage evening accessory
▲ Enduring popularity of the Hollywood Regency and 1970s disco revival aesthetics among retail buyers
▼ Illegible interior fabric label prevents definitive visual verification of the maker
▼ Unverified 'gold-tone' base metal provides zero intrinsic melt floor
▼ Extremely saturated secondary market for plain gold-tone variants suppresses individual item value
▼ Value is vulnerable to severe penalties if chain links are stretched, the clasp is weak, or the inner lining is stained
Best Venue
Peer-to-peer fashion resale marketplaces (e.g., Poshmark, Etsy, eBay)
Upside Potential
Discovery of a stamped 'Made in U.S.A.' or proprietary patent number on the interior metal frame to definitively authenticate the piece, paired with a pristine, unstained inner lining.