Zig Zag Bag - Vintage 1940s Handbag with Geometric Design In Coffee Br...

DESCRIPTION This unusual 1940s handbag is decorated with miniature plastic coiled cord in rich shades of coffee browns. The cording looks just like telephone cord, but is much smaller (less than 1/4” wide). The cord zig zags around the purse in a geometric design which is different on each side. The bottom of the purse is also decorated, which is a nice detail. The handle is braided from the same cord. The purse has a zipper closure with a brass pull ring. The inside is a single compartment lined in dark brown fabric. DIMENSIONS & MARKINGS This is a smallish bag, measuring 9.25” across at the top, 7.25” across the bottom, and 4” wide on the bottom. It stands 5.75” tall not including the handle and about 11.5” tall with the handle. This bag has no tags or marks. CONDITION This purse is in great condition, especially for its age. The coiled plastic all looks shiny and new with no cracks or breaks, and no detachment from the bag. The lining is intact with no holes, tears, or stains, just some minor discoloration on the top corner. Even the bottom shows no wear. The braided handle is a little bit wonky (see photos), but this doesn’t really detract from the overall impact of the design and it’s still perfectly functional. It’s securely attached with cotton cord on each end, but one end had pulled a little loose when I acquired this bag. It was not in any danger of coming off, but it looked a little weird, so I tightened it up with some matching dark thread and it looks much better. You can only see the reinforcing on close inspection. The inner walls of the purse feel like they’re made of cardboard, and they only come about halfway up. They are slightly bent towards the center. This forms a little ridge inside the purse when you open it, but it does not affect use. (The clear cylinder inside the bag in the last photo was just to keep it open while I took the picture and is not part of the bag.) The brass pull ring has some wear. Otherwise, the condition is great. SIMILAR ITEMS More geometric stuff: