Vintage 1960s Jewel Tone Flamenco Dancer Kit Handbag

This vintage 1960s Jewel Tone handbag was made from a decorative purse kit produced by the General Crafts Corp. of Baltimore, Maryland. These kits were marketed as Jewel Tone Handbags by the mid-1960s and reflected the popularity of embellished box and bucket-style purses associated with designers such as Enid Collins.

The handbag has a rigid trapezoidal body covered in textured black canvas, with black vinyl trim, flap and handle. The front is decorated with a Spanish flamenco dancer printed in gold beside a large spray of embroidered green-stemmed red roses. The dancer's dress is embellished with faceted teardrop-shaped stones, smaller rhinestones, faux pearls and gold-coloured trim, while additional green stones, sequins and faux pearls accent the floral design.

The handbag has a rigid wooden bottom fitted with four brass-tone ball feet. Additional brass-tone studs reinforce the vinyl trim around the lower edge and back of the bag. A vertical vinyl strap with brass-tone studs runs down the centre back. The top has a single flexible black vinyl handle attached with gold-coloured metal fittings and closes with a turn-lock fastener.

The interior is black and includes a zippered pocket. There is no maker's label, as the handbag was assembled from a kit.

Measurements:

Width across top: 14 inches
Width across bottom: 10 5/8 inches
Depth across bottom: 4 inches
Height: 10 3/4 inches
Handle drop: approximately 5 1/2 inches

The handbag appears to have seen little, if any, use and is in very clean condition.

This is a wonderful surviving example of a vintage Jewel Tone kit handbag and is particularly hard to find in this condition.