Identification
Photo reference
2 uploaded photos
Overview
Identified as a mid-20th-century evening bag based on the black satin exterior, metal frame construction, peach-toned fabric lining, and decorative rhinestone clasp. Note the visible condition issues, specifically the fraying at the bottom corners.
Story
This is a classic mid-20th-century (1940s-1960s) formalwear accessory. During this era, brands like Harry Levine (HL), Ande, and After Five mass-produced these elegant, rhinestone-clasped satin bags for the American middle class. Currently, no specific maker is attributed to this piece pending interior label confirmation. Mid-century black satin evening bags are ubiquitous on the secondary market.
Maker / Origin
Unattributed
Condition & Value
The bag presents with visible wear, most notably fraying at the bottom corners of the satin exterior. The rhinestone clasp appears intact, and the peach-toned fabric lining provides a nice contrast, though further inspection is needed to confirm if all stones are present and if the interior is free of stains.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Mid-century black satin evening bags are ubiquitous on the secondary market. They are primarily bought by vintage fashion enthusiasts for practical use at formal events or as costume pieces, rather than as high-end collector investments. Supply heavily outweighs demand, keeping prices modest unless the piece is in pristine, deadstock condition or from a highly sought-after luxury designer.
▲ Classic mid-century styling with a decorative rhinestone clasp appeals to vintage eveningwear buyers.
▲ Contrasting peach-toned lining adds visual interest compared to standard black-lined bags.
▲ Metal frame construction ensures the bag retains its structured, formal shape.
▼ Visible corner fraying on the satin exterior significantly limits collector appeal and caps the high-end value.
▼ Unverified maker — a lack of an interior label keeps the bag in the unbranded, lower-tier pricing bracket.
▼ Unverified rhinestone completeness — missing stones in the clasp would require a further discount.
Best Venue
List on accessible vintage fashion marketplaces like Etsy, eBay, or Poshmark, where mid-century accessories perform best. Ensure clear, well-lit photos of the interior are included, and explicitly note the corner fraying in the description to manage buyer expectations.
Upside Potential
If an interior label confirms a desirable mid-century maker (such as Harry Levine or Ande) and the corner fraying is less severe in person than it appears in photos, the bag could reach the $40-$45 range to a dedicated vintage buyer.
Also found — market-range context
Surfaced during research but not used to anchor the valuation — wrong form, species, era, or no published price. Shown so the market range around this item is visible.