Antiques Roadshow

GUEST

This is a bead bag purse that I bought on a trip to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on a little antique outing. I didn't know much about it, but I just fell in love with it. I paid $175 for it, probably about ten years ago.

APPRAISER

Most beaded bags from this era, which is about 1915 through 1925, are about half the size of this purse. And what is amazing about it, beyond the size, is the condition. It's a floral pattern, and we've got several colors of glass beads, and there's approximately 150 beads to square inch. It's the same pattern on both sides. I figure this weighs almost six pounds, maybe more.

GUEST

Mm-hmm.

APPRAISER

It also has handles embroidered with beads on both sides.

GUEST

Yes, I noticed, sure.

APPRAISER

And they're very, very, very good condition. Where do you think this purse was made?

GUEST

This is just a guess, but I thought possibly France.

APPRAISER

Okay.

GUEST

Because it's so beautifully done.

APPRAISER

I think you're right.

GUEST

Really? Okay.

APPRAISER

I think it's made from... Not only because the design is so exquisite...

GUEST

Mm-hmm.

APPRAISER

But when women in America made purses-- and this was a cottage industry, they would make them in their home-- they would put in a single quadrant of the purse a white bead, and there is no white bead on this purse.

GUEST

Oh.

APPRAISER

So it's not a signature American piece. I want to show the lining here. It's in excellent condition. It's a cotton sateen lining.

GUEST

Okay.

APPRAISER

It's got a very nice Art Deco, '20s-'30s pattern. The hardware is not sterling, it's stamped steel. It doesn't have a chain, but it does have a sliding locking mechanism right here. It also has the original mirror. And I think this is the original lining. I looked at it. It seemed to be hand-sewn. I would say on today's market, a purse of this exceptional quality would bring around $2,000.

GUEST

Oh, that's wonderful. (giggles) That's wonderful, thank you.