| There is evidence of beaded bags existing for as | | | | protected as the secrets were passed down through |
| long as history has been recorded. A painting | | | | family members. These reticule bags were known as |
| displayed in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, | | | | an "indispensable," even being carried by the Empress |
| England, dated from 480 B.C., shows a boy holding a | | | | Josephine at all times during the 19th century. |
| knucklebone filled "purse." African priests were known | | | | Older beads from the 1800s are often used to |
| to carry beaded bags, as well as peasants in early | | | | create a new bag along with the frame if it is in good |
| rural areas that used bags to carry seeds. Beaded | | | | enough condition. You may be able to find a beaded |
| bags come in various sizes and styles, as well as | | | | bag that has been signed and dated; however, this is |
| many different ways to clutch or hold onto the bag. | | | | a rarity and a priceless find. With links that were |
| Throughout history, beaded bags have earned their | | | | decorated ornately, chains that were attached to the |
| own place in the fashion industry. | | | | frames, feathers, or additional beads, the handles of |
| With the many facets that are presented in beaded | | | | these beaded bags can be just as decorative as the |
| bags from size and shape, to even how the beads | | | | bags themselves. |
| are put on, you are sure to find a bag that suits your | | | | The frames that were used for the beaded bags |
| style and price range, from handcrafted to factory | | | | from the1820s to 1830s could be made to resemble |
| made. Beads can be hand sewn, woven, knitted, | | | | gold or tortoise shell; these frames were made out |
| crocheted, or glued on. Beaded bags have been well | | | | of an alloy of zinc and copper called pinchbeck, |
| sought after, cherished, and displayed ever since their | | | | generally coming from Austria and France. As times |
| creation. With the new varieties of beads that are | | | | changed, frames were made out of different |
| available in today's society, the choices for beaded | | | | products such as solid gold, nickel, amber, sterling |
| bags are endless depending upon the imagination of | | | | silver, celluloid, ivory, and ormolu, which is a copper |
| the designer. | | | | and tin alloy that looks like gold. |
| During the 1900s, beaded bags were often found | | | | Another very popular type of beaded bag, originating |
| with very fine tiny beads that would have up to a | | | | from Native Americans, was decorated with brightly |
| thousand beads per square inch. During the 1800s and | | | | coloured beads and made out of chamois rather than |
| 1900s, a drawstring handle would be attached; this is | | | | velvets, silks, or other varied fabrics. Often, these |
| called a reticule bag. Often, the reticule bag would | | | | bags were placed in kits with step-by-step |
| have a romantic or rural scene, or a figurine. The | | | | instructions for American women to make the bags |
| beaded bag became a necessity to carry small items, | | | | at home. As with all things in fashion, "everything old |
| from handkerchiefs to coins or keys, because | | | | is new again." Beaded bags have always been a |
| women's dresses did not have pockets. These bags | | | | favourite of the modern day woman and will never |
| were often highly valued, and patterns were | | | | truly go out of fashion. |