Beautiful antique art nouveau style silver plated metal closure with iconic mesh bag by esteemed company Whiting & Davis, from the early 1920's. In 1892 Charles Whiting wove the very first mesh bag based on the ancient art of chainmail making. He had been an employee of Mr Davis who owned a silverware company but seeing the potential of this new technique, Mr Davis made Mr Whiting a partner in their new business, which would become the 'Whiting & Davis Company' in 1896. By the 1900's and into the early 1920's the mesh bags were made of sterling silver and often gold plated and were made entirely by hand, by local ladies in sowing circles. Where they would painstakingly sow and stitch the metal links together. This slow process was updated in 1912 with the invention of an automated mesh machine that would revolutionise the process and enable mass production. At this time the precious metals were switched to base metals that were silver plated to make the bags more affordable for everyone. This particular bag was created most likely by machine and it is metal based with silver plate. Really great condition for its age and very collectable.
Dimensions are as follows:
Height 18.5 cm x Width 11 cm x Thickness 5 mm
