Whiting Davis .. A tribute to beautiful jewelry and accessories

Exotic Whiting and Davis Snake bracelet. VERY Egyptian revival

 The brand's iconic snake is estimated to have made its first appearance in the late 1890s - a delicate bracelet crafted in sterling silver. Throughout the years, Whiting & Davis continued to design the snake motif into their fine and fashion jewelry with earrings, bracelets and necklaces. One of Whiting & Davis' most rare designs is a circa 1910, double-headed snake bracelet that had been hand enameled by the skilled craftsmen at the company. 

Whiting  and Davis LARGE Baroque CUFF Bracelet

  In 1903 when Edward Davis patented new technology to improve the hinged bracelet, using two hinges on each side so a woman could open and close with ease. The bracelet featured seamless hinges and a spring, rather than a clasp which was popular at the time. 

Whiting DAVIS Silver mesh Purse
By 1896, Charles Whiting partnered with Edward Davis and the name Whiting & Davis was born. With the same drive that transformed metal mesh into fashion, Charles Whiting led the brand into the Twentieth Century - handbags introduced anywhere from 1896 to 1935 continue to be highly sought after styles today by collectors . 

You can see all the Whiting and Davis pieces HERE

Since 1876, this company has made some of the most beautiful and exotic jewelry and accessories. You can own one and see the beauty when you go to my store HERE

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Whiting and Davis Purse trivia

This is a vintage Whiting & Davis gold mesh purse with  Fancy frame and  original tag and mirror . 

The early 1920-30's was a time when women were freeing up their hands and didn't have to wear gloves all the time. The purses would accentuate the beauty of unfettered fingers and hands and wrist, while accommodating all the necessary items so the woman could dance or have mad money.The woman would look extremely stylish. . I guess you could consider this a Necessaire because it could be used to hold the small necessities one needed when going out. 

Whiting and Davis have been in existence since the late 1800's. What is really interesting that Elsa Schiaparelli actually designed purses for the Whiting and Davis. The mesh process was a really intriguing way to make the mesh look like scales. They were first firm to develop patents for the machines to make mesh in their own plants ( per a Brown university study)/. They were the first to make solder filled wire in making metal mesh. These were woven into many different patterns. A finished mesh purse might contain 100,000 links ( each soldered individually). When it was placed in an electric furnace, the solder melted and flowed, At first the purses were joined to their frames. Later the company introduced a spiral wire to join the purse to the frame. This method was called hanging up . A mesh to the edge was another whiting and davis innovation that gave a smooth silhouette and thereby added to artistry of the purse. Purses in the early 20's sterling and 14kt gold and plated metal ( according to 1995 Vintage purses at their best by lynell schwartz) . I think this was possibly pre-world war 11).

The purse has been hardly used. It has the original mirror, tag and stamping into the frame. The silk is peach colored and original with one small corner having a few spots ( see photo) . This purse measures 7 1/2" x 5" and the fancy etched chain measures 10" long. It is heavy and the mesh flows like silk when you move it. What a great piece for a wedding or an elegant evening out!   SOLD OUT TOO LATE :(

You can see more HERE

If you want to see more of these pretties this is the link to my Etsy store

or visit our gallery on pinterest where you can see all our pieces at once