Black floral brocade handbag

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A large, rectangular black brocade handbag with an allover floral motif. The body of the handbag is made from one continuous panel of fabric for the front and back. The fabric features a black brocade ground, with yellow, red, and green floral motifs made from synthetic two-ply yarns. Both the front and back of the purse sides are backed with a layer of stiffener (likely carboard). A black handle, made from two layers of synthetic leather are machine sewn together and attached to the top of the handbag with metal brass hardware. The purse closes with a hinged frame, (likely metal) that is covered in a thin layer of black synthetic leather. A central brass metal closure at top center of the frame, latches the purse closed. A single panel of black synthetic decorative leather is machine stitched to the top front of the handbag, under the frame.

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