Posted 13 years ago
jipsi
(1 item)
I've had this little Lucite egg-shaped "bubble" purse for years, after begging a lady at an antique store to convince the out-of-state consignee sell it to me after coveting it for a few months (I paid $80 then, approx. 15 years ago). I've looked EVERYWHERE, online and off, to try and find something about its origin, in vain. It's unmarked, no label, no etching. I KNOW it's not a Judith Leiber because its gold frame is slightly different, and the clasp and chain as well... It does have real gold in the metal frame and chain as it both still retain the brightness and color of true gold (unlike the 'greying' of alloy or cheaper metals), although it's showing some age in areas. The clear lucite is still fine, although it could probably use a professional cleaning to bring out the crystal-clear sparkle. When it was sold to me, it was described as 'Victorian Lucite Egg Purse', but I'm not certain that's accurate (was Lucite even around, pre-20th century??) so I'm guessing 20's to 50's. Can anyone help me discover this pretty purse's identity? And could this be the inspiration for Judith Leiber's spot-on version, decades later? ;-)
Size of the Lucite "egg" is approximately 5 and 1/2" length by 4" diameter width...
Gold chain is approximately 32" long and hooks to the purse on the top, either side of the clasp.
Snaps open and close well. The clasp is a 'ring' and 'ball' affair, and can be seen in some of the pictures.
After more searching, I found two almost identical purses, lucite and with the same 'ball and ring' closure, BUT they were NOT clear: one was described as 'translucent brown/chocolate', the other solid BLACK. Both were already sold, one from eBay and the other an antique auction, both had been 'closed' over a year and neither had any real information. Just thought it was interesting that my clear lucite egg purse MAY have been one of several color options!
That is very interesting. Wouldn't it be great if several color options were available!
I'm giving up on ever finding the origin of this sweet little egg purse, I just don't have the time with all of my medical problems and a move ahead in the next few months... Look for it on Ebay under 'clear egg purse' IN THE TITLE (that way you won't have to wade through hundreds of 'similar' items with clear, egg and purse in the text of the whole page) and you should find it quickly... Not sure what I'm pricing it at, but it IS attributed to the Judith Leiber purse, AND predates it as well (as a VINTAGE/ANTIQUE item). I also know mine would be a LOT HARDER to find than a Judith Leiber, so that should make it somewhat rare in its own right... Someone may end up getting a STEAL on this one, as it *might* be worth as much if not MORE than a JL... I hate parting with it, as it's always been 'one of my favorite things' and I know I'll never be able to find, let alone AFFORD, another someday... But, unless the Lotto turns in my favor real - REAL - soon, it'll be on Ebay by this coming weekend (by September 30 to Oct 2, 2011)...
Thanks again for comments and advice...
How Unique....never saw such a purse.......Stunning!!
I love Judith Lieber and I am in love with this purse!