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Handbags

2,066 items

Explore NOVICA's Handbags Collection. Discover artisan designs, from handmade leather totes to beautifully embellished evening clutches. You will find unique styles in an array of traditional leathers, handwoven fabrics and contemporary recycled materials to bring a touch of global style to any outfit. There's a style for every season and reason.

Featured Reviews

Julie

May 29, 2020

Beautiful work

Product picture

This bag is very well made of quality leather. It is unlined but the inside is smooth and finished. I should have paid closer attention to the dimensions as it is slightly smaller than I anticipated and the pocket on the front is too small for my phone. The front pocket would fit a small billfold, a larger wallet would need to go inside the bag. Regardless of the minor size issue, the workmanship is excellent and the price makes this bag a great value. Recommended.

Love, Love, Love this bag!!!

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This will be my summer travel purse and it is loaded with pockets and storage. A zippered pocket inside with 2 open pockets and surprise-a zippered pocket on the front and back which are hidden from view. Can't wait to use it. Quality fabric and sewing.

Carlanne

Dec 11, 2024

Classy and Yet Casual Handbag

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I was immediately impressed with the care taken in constructing this bag. The horizontal fabric goes all the way around for the body of the bag with only one seam. The base of the bag is squared well and stitched perfectly. The lining is nicely constructed and there's a zippered pocket for items that might be otherwise lost in the bottom of the bag.

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Handbags Through History

Prehistoric people used medicine bags, and Egyptian hieroglyphs show pouches carried around the waist. Drawstring coin bags were used by European men from the 12th to the 16th centuries, and the first written mention of handbags dates to the 1300s. In the 1500s, women began carrying bags of sachet. But pockets worn beneath the skirt remained more popular than purses until dresses began to hug the body in the late 18th century. During the Victorian period, a wide variety of purse styles came into vogue and the term "handbag" was coined in the early 1900s. By the first part of the 20th century, almost every woman carried a purse. Authentic handbags came into their own during the 1920s with all kinds of styles, colors and materials. From the 1930s to the 1960s, clutches were a favorite. Practical shoulder bags were introduced during World War II. Today hobos, totes and slings compete with classic leather handbags, mini briefcases and backpack bags. Among Novica's amazing array of styles and materials are sterling silver evening bags by Ploy Intha. Sending an ecological statement, totes of recycled materials make up Neide Ambrosio's soda pop-top collection and Evani Ribeiro's bags of distressed canvas.

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Discover our unique collection of beautiful, handmade objects from around the world, inspired by more than a century of exploration.

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