Antique Beaded Velvet Evening Bag, E. Gauthier Paris c.1900

Elegant antique French evening bag in deep blue velvet, finely hand-embroidered with intricate micro glass beads forming a striking geometric starburst design. Attributed to the Parisian workshop E. Gauthier, 97 rue des Petits-Champs, Paris, a documented Belle Époque maison de confection, with comparable examples held at the Palais Galliera, Musée de la Mode, Paris.

The piece features a silvered metal frame, double chain handle, sculptural clasp, and fully hand-executed beadwork typical of refined Parisian atelier production at the turn of the century—a beautifully preserved example of French decorative fashion craftsmanship, dating to the Belle Époque period.

Dimensions: 33 × 18 cm

Material: Velvet, micro glass beads, silvered metal

Condition: Good antique condition overall. The velvet retains a strong colour, and the frame and chain remain structurally sound with an attractive aged patina. The beadwork is largely intact and visually striking; however, there is some minor bead loss and a few areas of fragility, entirely consistent with the age and delicate nature of hand-applied micro-beadwork from this period. This is normal for a piece of this age and does not detract from its overall decorative presence. Please note this is a genuine antique piece and should be handled with care due to the inherent delicacy of early beadwork textiles.