This is an exquisite vintage handbag by renowned and sought after brand Widegate which made handbags for high end department stores such as Harrods and Selfridges. It is a particularly attractive, dainty and stylish example of a crocodile handbag of this era. The exterior of the handbag is in superb condition with no drying or cracking of the scales and minimal wear to the base or corners. The front of the handbag has an attractive 'pull' tab and the gilt frame is in excellent condition, it is as new with minimal scratches or tarnishing except for minor scratches to the underside of the gilt clasp where it opens and closes.
The handle, normally the Achilles heel of a crocodile handbags is in excelent condition with two layers of very soft pliable crocodile skin with no cracking or splitting and is very strong and secure. The top of the handbag, both back and front, has a decorative border of crocodile skin. The very top of the handbag has an unusual and attractive flat metal top bar, curved at either end which is embellished with a decorative insert of crocodile skin on top of the metal. The lining of the handbag is a top quality nappa leather in dark tan. There are a few obvious marks and several indentations from use to the lining, as seen in the photos, this kind of leather is particularly susceptible to spills as it is so soft and absorbent. The photos show the lining at it's worst and it is in fact not quite as noticeable but be under no illusion that it is marked, mostly at the top just under the frame and a couple of marks on the bottom. On one side of the lining is a full width pocket edged in crocodile and on the other a zipped and a slip pocket with the fabric Widegate label sewn in to the leather.
This is an absolutely exquisitehigh end quality Widegate crocodile handbag, and notwithstanding the marks to the lining, which we would describe as in very good rather than excellent condition (well it is vintage!) it is gorgeous. From the outside it is elegant, sophisticated and very ladylike with it's dainty features, dainty size and shape and although vintage, from the outside it looks like a new handbag. By the time your essentials are inside most marks to the lining will be obscured. This handbag could be worn to any event at all, large enough for day, small enough for evening, it oozes class and understated elegance and it's highly unlikely there will be anyone wearing anything to match it. Perfct gift for her.
It is 10.5" x 7" x 3.5"