United States, ca. 1940s to 1950s CE. An alligator skin "back horn" handbag with the animal's front feet, and a separate alligator foot coin pouch. The purse bag has a thick woven leather handle, a brass slide clasp, and frame construction. Inside is lined with brown suede and the "Genuine Alligator" silk label tag is attached. There are several pockets- one with a Talon brand zipper, and a built-in coin purse with a kiss lock snap closure. The foot has a button snap flap and a short strap for attachment. Size: 9.5" L x 2" W x 7" H (24.1 cm x 5.1 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.

Provenance: private Livermore, Colorado, USA collection

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#184645

Vintage pre-owned condition. Wear to the leather, tearing and cracking to the side panels, perforations between scales from the side panels creasing. Front and verso leather panels are intact. Fraying to silk tag, rest of interior is good condition. Claps and zippers work. Foot pouch is intact, some fraying to the threads on the strap.