This is a vintage Bienen-Davis black calfskin leather clutch bag handbag is customized and from the 1960s. The bag features a calfskin outer leather material and original attached inner change purse, inner zipper pocket with matching gold zipper with pull, and is tailored in style, suitable for formal, cocktail, business, and other occasions. It is an original piece made of calfskin black leather, designed for elegant, fashionable, rich women. The clutch exudes a sophisticated and classic look, perfect for adding a touch of elegance to an outfit. The piece de la resistance is the beautiful carved metal brass top closing clasp ROSE. The bag is edged in brass with a beautiful black enamel inlay piece at the top, front and back. The front is eleganted marked with a small black leather tab, allowing you to gently open the bag after uncliping the rose knob top.
Inside the bag youll find a gilded note that the bag is made of Calfskin Leather. And a gilded logo featuring the designer Bienan-Davis. Oppose those markings, youll find the custom name tag of the original owner, Sandy Strassman, on a vintage tag, white tag with black lettering. The original tissue paper is inside the bag, indicating is was not or rarely used.
A unique and rare find is the fact that the inner satin and brass clasping change purse is included and still attached with its satin trim rope. Youll find a flat inner pocket with gold satin trim inside. And a gold zipper with gold zipper pull pocket on the opposing side, this pocket lined in the same black satin as the inner lining of the bag.
No damage to the bag, clasp, pockets, zippers, rose, decorations, tag, hinge, or leather. The leather shows minor denting and scuffs but is in overall excellent condition for a bag of this age.
11.5 inches along the base/bottom
10 inches along the top, clasping top
The rose atop the bag is about .75 inches across, left to right.
The clutch opens to a maximum of about 4.5 inches front to back.
Laying flat, the bag is about 1.5 inches tall.
The bag is about 5 inches deep.
Not patent leather, this is a natural matt polished leather bag.
The top metal is gold, likely brass, but is unmarked.
The inner lining is black and likely satin or silk, but is unmarked.
Bienen-Davis was established in New York City in 1931 by Herbert Bienen and Edwin Davis. The company merged American design with Italian Craftmanship. Their bags were used on the sets of movie and television shows, and worn by some of Hollywoods most iconic stars, and are included in the permanent collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Richard Bienan, 4th generation, revived the company after his stint in World War II and her mother, Pat More, a former model was his muse. His mother worked along Halston. Most of the bags are created in Italy or the US with Italian artisans and American designs.
The original company was founded on Manhattans Lower East Side. The advertised their leather bags as being soft as velvet. The bags were often used during the filming of "I Love Lucy" and other popular movie and TV shows of the 1950s. In 1952 a Bienan-Davis bag was featured on the February 1952 cover of the American Vogue magazine. In 1953, an original bag became a part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The bags were then advertised in the 1953 American Vogue. Sourcing for the bags leather and intricate design pieces was often done in Venice, Italy. Cary Grant was a close friend of the designer. Doris Day also proudly wore her Bienan-Davis bags and one of the Bienan-Davis bags was featured in her wardrobe in the film, "That Touch of Mink". The designer was a close friend of Halson and often conferred with him during the design process of the 1970s. The Bienan-Davis bag was carried by a Halston Rabbit-ette, during Halsons New York City fundraiser for the Skowhegan School of the Arts. Liza Minelli carried the Bienan-Davis bags and was close friends of the designer. In the 1980s, Richard Bienan obtained a license for Christian Dior Handbags. He continued sourcing Italian leathers and creating his designer bags, famous in the 1980s. In the 90s, he could be found in Florence, Italy sourcing. The Bienan-Davis handbags were again featured in an editorial write-up in American Vogue in the October 2017 issue. Members of the design team continued to work and show the bags in Paris during Fasion Week 2017. Sarah Jessica Parker carried a Bienan-Davis bag during the 2018 Met Gala. In Sept. 2019, Beyonce carried the Bienan-Davis Swarovski embellished Kit bag during the Homecoming Private Viewing Party. In January 2020, Lizzo was photographed with her Bienan-Davis bespoke Mori clutch during the 2020 Spotify Best New Artist Grammy event. In October 2021, Jennifer Aniston made a graceful entrance to a hollywood event carrying the Bienan-Davis Angel Top Handle Bag. In May 2022, Billie Eilish carried her black velvet Bienan-Davis Kit Bracelet Bag Pouch to the 2022 Met Gala.
Clearly this bag has provenance, a historial design history, and a wealth of class, style, and elegance.
no original box or bag
wrapped and quickly shipped in the least expensive manner possible.
Artemis Teal is a woman-owned, US Veteran Owned, Small business. We use recycled shipping supplies that we scavenge from others so that we dont add more waste to the planet. We work out of our home and offer items that are curated, unique, and unusually beautiful. Artemis is the name of the company because we are led by a Goddess who hunts for treasures. It takes us takes time to find these gems, time to clean and research them, and time to list them for sale. We work hard to make a living, to make life worth living, and to help make your home a beautiful place. Because where you live should be as beautiful and interesting as you are. Thank you for your purchase and your support.
