Material:  Sterling Silver, Leather, Suede
Manufacturer:  Unger Bros ( Brothers )
Hallmarks:  Interlaced U & B, 925 STERLING
Color:  Silver & Black
Pattern:  Cupid
Size:  Chatelaine Clip ~ Length = apx. 2 & 1/8 inches
                                   Width  =  apx. 1 & ¼ inches
         Handbag ~ Drop including handle and bag = apx. 11 inches
                          Top of frame to bag bottom = apx. 7 & ¼ inches
                          Frame width = apx. 5 & 3/8 inches
                          Bag width = apx. 6 & ½ inches
         Handbag & Chatelaine Clip ~ Total drop with bag affixed to clip = apx. 12 inches
Age:  1895 - 1910  
Quantity:  1 ~ two piece set/group (one handbag & one chatelaine clip)

A hard to find antique Unger Bros Art Nouveau sterling silver handbag / purse, with matching chatelaine bag clip, identified from an old catalogue as the Cupid pattern and dating from the later 1800s Victorian era - early 1900s Edwardian period, c. 1895 to apx. 1910.

The heavy sterling purse frame is profusely decorated in a high Art Nouveau design of fancy scrolls and flowers, with center cartouche featuring two charming winged angels, cupids, cherubs, or putti, who both appear to be gazing into a hand mirror held by the seated angel.  The chatelaine clip features the identical cupid motif, as it is the companion piece to the bag.  Due to the nature of the handbag the front of the purse frame is more ornate than the back, as the bag was meant to lay against clothing without snagging. Subsequently, the sterling frame on the reverse side is very flat and smooth, with high quality small round rivets attaching leather to frame.

The heavy link chain handles are affixed to a larger, rounded oval center link, which allows the purse to be attached to the chatelaine hook or clip and then suspended from a belt, girdle, or waist band, etc.  The purse can be separated from the clip by sliding the center loop/link out of the hook on the back of the clip.

The black leather purse body is very fine quality, with what I believe was called a “Seal Finish”, a very desirable style at the turn of the century.  Interior is lined with a soft brownish olive suede, featuring one interior pocket backed in purple silk.

Both the purse and the clip remain in very nice antique estate condition, commensurate with age and gentle use; some expected subtle smoothing to finer pattern details found, as can be seen in the very magnified close up images of the sterling pattern motif, otherwise very good, per detailed description following.
The handbag appears to retain all original elements, as does the matching clip.  The sterling silver purse frame remains symmetrically aligned, with no dings, dents, breaks or repairs.  The hinges work perfectly and clasp snaps securely shut.  All original rivets appear to be in place.  Handle chain links seemingly very strong.
The black leather body remains securely attached to frame, with overall good color / finish and only a few very small scuffs, easily treated with a little black polish.  For the most part the leather remains quite good, however the exterior would benefit from a moisture treatment, as two small areas, (under the hinges and the very bottom rounded corners of the bag) have become a little stiff with age and are showing signs of dryness. See image #12.  Really not an extremely serious issue, nor unexpected for a purse of this type and age, but noteworthy.
The interior suede of the handbag, a brownish olive color, may have been brighter 100 years ago, but it remains quite smooth and soft, with no large stains or marks, just a few tiny pencil point size specks that I believe are small spots of tarnish from the frame where it meets the suede on the opposing side.  The interior pocket is lined in a rich royal purple silk that is showing a little wear in one small section at the inside opening edge, but only discernable if pocket is widely opened and interior edge carefully inspected.
The chatelaine clip appears equally strong and stable, with no noted dings, dents, breaks, or repairs.

This very high quality and well made antique purse, with matching chatelaine bag clip, would make a wonderful addition to any discriminating collection.   A wonderful and rare find for authentic period costumes, antique displays, or purse and specialty collectors.

NOTE:  While I have previously encountered a number of other items in the Cupid pattern, including a match safe box, various brushes and a toothbrush cover, several of which are featured in the 1904 Unger Bros Catalogue, (along with this exact purse frame) I found no evidence that a full line of toilet articles were produced, indicating this motif was likely a more select design and definitely quite a bit more rare to find than some of the other full line patterns popular a the time, such as  Love’s Voyage, Loves Dream and Stolen Kiss.

Scarce Large Antique Unger Bros Ornate Sterling Silver Purse, Handbag With Matching Sterling Chatelaine Clip ~ Cherubs, Putti ~ Cupid Pattern

$ 859.00