Antique Whiting & Davis Mesh Purse c1915–1925 Enamel Lyre Motif Metal Mesh Eveni

This beautiful early 20th-century Whiting & Davis enamel mesh purse is accented by an ornate clasp frame adorned with a delicate enamel panel depicting a classical lyre, a traditional symbol of music and refinement popular during the Edwardian era. Musical and romantic imagery such as this was especially fashionable in the Edwardian and early Art Deco periods, giving purses like this the dual appeal of an elegant evening accessory and a small work of decorative metal craftsmanship. The frame is clearly marked “Whiting & Davis Co. – Mesh Bags – Made in U.S.A.”, and the purse still retains its small interior Whiting & Davis metal tag, which is often missing from surviving examples. Based on the construction and frame style, this piece likely dates to the 1915–1925 period. Collectors value early mesh purses for their craftsmanship, and this example retains many of the features enthusiasts look for: • Fine interlocking metal mesh that drapes beautifully like fabric • Mesh fully intact and securely attached to the frame all the way around • Original chain handle present • Early scalloped mesh bottom, individually finished rather than straight-cut • Decorative enamel frame panel, a detail found on some of the more decorative early models • Traces of the original multicolor enamel decoration (blue, green, and gold tones) are still visible across portions of the mesh Even after a century, the purse still shows the quality that made Whiting & Davis famous. Condition The conditio