Victorian Purse Holders

The Victorian era was a complex age of high fashion, artistic expression, literary exploration and social movement. It was, in essence, the beginning of modern times. Even so, the era is often perceived as being repressive and prudish with its modest ideals always being held rather haughtily.

The styles of Victorian times were well-designed -- from architectural construction to fashionable apparel. It was an era of elegance, which was readily apparent as proper decorum prevailed in all aspects of the Victorian lifestyle.

Women of Victorian culture were entirely sophisticated and proper. Their sense of style was strongly portrayed in both their apparel and accessories. Victorian designed garments did not embrace pocket space, however, and women were forced to carry their personal items in handbags.

The Victorian purse holder was intended to cradle the small,ornately designed, beautifully crafted bags which the Victorian woman always had in her possession -- and was a favored apparatus of all. It was constructed with a flat surface, usually circular in shape, with a non-stick surface on the back to ensure the stability of the holder. A small, metal, hook-style hanger extended from the surface of the circular base, generally running about five inches in length. When placed on a flat surface, a stylish bag could be conveniently held within the hook in a highly fashionable manner. While being exceedingly vogue, the purse holder was entirely functional in preventing precious handbags from coming in contact with the potential filth of public flooring.

Victorian designs were magnificently elaborate.

In their conception, Victorian purse holders were constructed with meticulous attention to design and detail. They were often elaborate, with their use of sculpted metals, precious gemstones, and even ornate miniature paintings inlaid in glass. Original versions of the Victorian purse holder can often be located in vintage clothing stores or antique malls -- for fairly reasonable prices, usually around $20.

Presently, the purse holder is enduring replication -- for both its functionality and appeal. They are being crafted and embellished with the same ornate features found in their Victorian predecessors -- often reproduced from antique brass and bold colored crystals, or glass. They are comparable in style -- but not so much in quality. The majority of modern-day purse holders are manufactured in China and are lacking the dedication to quality construction and high end material use that would be commonplace for the 1800s.

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