An extraordinary history of leather bags

Probably only a few people stop to consider that an apparently everyday object such as the handbags has an extraordinarily rich history and has undergone remarkable development in its many centuries of existence.

The real breaktrough for the leather handbag came during the nineteenth century with the arrival of railway travel. Rail travelers needed bags that were less delicate. Initially, small leather bags were worn as chatelaine bags on the belt or skirt waistband. In the course of the 19th Century, it became more and more usual to carry bags in one’s hands.

A rich variety handbags emerged in the 20th century. Some were specially made as visiting bags with mirror, powder puff. Scent bottle and coin purse. For theatre outings, there were opera bags with compartments for opera glasses, fam, mirror, powder puff, coin purse and ticket. Even today, the handbag has a variety of forms and uses, such as the clutch, which is carried under the arm or in the hand