A chinese Rank Badge from the Quing Dynasty (which ended in 1911)  is an elegant textile used on clothing to indicate the rank of an official in the Chinese  Government. During the Victorian Era of British Imperialism, Chinese items became fashionable items for British society. Rank badges were turned into purses. This example is attached to an ornate sterling frame with a chatelaine top, the frame depicts old testament biblical stories.

The badge is an expertly crafted embroidery on silk with gold silver and silk thread. Other examples may have Jade or Peking glass bracelet circles for handles or draw strings closures. 

Early in the 20th century a Chinese company called the Red Guard exported specially made Chinese purses to United States. Department  stores like Saks Fifth Avenue featured them in advertisements. This example has fine petit point floral design, a jade handle and semi precious natural stones.

These are exceptional contemporary looking purses. They came from the bazaars in Aleppo, Syria in late 1700 - early 1800. 

Syria in current times is a war torn country. This belies the wonderful history of the Silk Route when Aleppo was at the crossroads of world trade. It was a wealthy and thriving city accepting of various religious communities. It is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world where spices, silk, and luxury goods between east and west traded hands.

Late 1800s Japanese Meiji Era Embossed Leather Tobacco Pouch with dragon motif designed to hand on a belt. Japan had been an isolated feudal society, (represented by this pouch) but new ideas with Western ideas and new technology were changing Japanese society and its place in the world.

During the Deco Era purses, bags, and handbags reflected the changes in society with more freedom for women, as well as new aesthetics in the design of functional objects. Purses were the beneficiaries. This example made for the western market uses the beautiful and distinctly recognized material of the Japanese Kimono.  In San Francisco Gumps department store featured objects and fashions from the Far East.

Purses, Bages, Pouches

not made for export or retail sale