Wilardy clutch bag

Front view of a clutch bag showing the cut glass style design. Side view of a clutch bag showing the curved top. Rear view of a clutch bag showing the hinge. Rear view of a clutch bag showing the hinge. Side view of a clutch bag showing the curved top. Underside view of a clutch bag showing the cut glass design. Front view of a clutch bag showing the inner surface. Close view of a clutch bag showing the inscritpion. Close view of a clutch bag showing the thickness of the material. Close view of a clutch bag showing the clasp. Top view of a clutch bag showing the cut glass design.
Front view of a clutch bag showing the cut glass style design. Side view of a clutch bag showing the curved top. Rear view of a clutch bag showing the hinge. Rear view of a clutch bag showing the hinge. Side view of a clutch bag showing the curved top. Underside view of a clutch bag showing the cut glass design. Front view of a clutch bag showing the inner surface. Close view of a clutch bag showing the inscritpion. Close view of a clutch bag showing the thickness of the material. Close view of a clutch bag showing the clasp. Top view of a clutch bag showing the cut glass design.

Description

A lucite clutch bag designed and produced by the American handbag makers, Wilardy, who manufactured bags from 1946 until the late 1970s. This example is colourless with a crystal cut design on all surfaces. It has a domed lid with a metal piano hinge and a silver coloured sprung metal clasp. Wilardy produced a wide range of lucite bags. Lucite is a trade name for polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) also known as acrylic. Sheets of the material were cut to the size needed for the shape of bag. The pieces were heated until flexible and then wrapped and clamped around a wooden form until they cooled. After cooling, the pieces maintained their new shape indefinately. The shaped and formed pieces were assembled using methylene chloride, a co-hesive solvent, which formed bonds between adjacent surfaces, creating a joint as strong as the material itself.
Designers & Manufacturers
Designer (Organisation)
Manufacturer

Inscriptions

stamped: "WILARDY" (inside hinge)

Object number

AIBDC : 008098

Date

1970 - 1979 (circa)

Country

Method

Dimensions
Width
225mm
Height
105mm
Depth
58mm

Colour

bag
clasp