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North America, United States, ca. 1940s to 1950s CE. An alligator skin “hornback” handbag with the animal’s front feet, and a separate alligator wallet with an attached foot as well! The purse bag has a thick woven leather handle, a brass slide clasp, and frame construction, the animal’s skin is arranged with the spine “horns” centered and the feet sewn in place. Inside is lined with brown suede and silk inside the zippered pocket. The wallet has a snap closure and several pockets for bills and coins. Size of hornback bag: 8.5″ L x 7″ W (21.6 cm x 17.8 cm)
Alligator leather was widely used in the South during the American Civil War by soldiers out of necessity. The striking texture, color, softness, and the allure of exotic reptilian scales made it popular as a fashion item in the later Victorian era. Production of alligator goods increased dramatically in the late 1800s and 1900s with the opening of large, commercial tanneries. Alligator purses were an iconic fashion staple in the 1940s and 1950s, but unsurprisingly the alligator population plummeted dramatically with unregulated overhunting, and by the 1960s the American gator was classified as endangered – putting end to most leather production until the population recovered in the 1980s.
Condition: Handbag is in fair condition with heavy use. Green patina on brass clasp and zipper. Inner zippered silk pocket liner is torn, with hole revealing the leather. Scuffs and wear to leather along the creases and clasp, one foot is coming loose from the surface and missing threads. Wallet has cracking and losses to leather and wear from use.
Provenance: private Livermore, Colorado, USA collection
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