Whiting & Davis has been known for its high quality and striking handbags since the 1890s. Their patented metal mesh has been supplied to the very best of the fashion industry and has been spotted on the runway in dresses, gloves, and shoes.
The company was founded when Charles W. Whiting went to work for a chain manufacturing company owned by Edward P. Davis. By 1907 Whiting was a partner in the business, and the company was making chain mesh bags from silver, gold and gun metal. In 1912, a process for machine made mesh was developed and Whiting and Davis purchased the patent. This process cut the cost of a bag dramatically, so that mesh bags were available to the mass market. By the 1920s, the bags were being decorated with enamel.
Production of metal mesh halted during WWII to assist with the war effort. Keep this in mind when attempting to precisely date Whiting & Davis handbags.
Whiting and Davis is still in operation today, making metal mesh for the fashion industry as well as other industries such as home decor and jewelry.
Written by vintagegent.com
See vintage Whiting & Davis from VFG members on Etsy (paid link)
from a 1920s metal mesh handbag (stamped on frame)
Courtesy of pinky-a-gogo
from a post WWII 1940s gold metal mesh handbag
Courtesy of vintagegent.com
from a 1949 hangtag
Courtesy of glamoursurf
