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Handbags

2,012 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

Nicole

Aug 31, 2022

Lovely bag

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Smaller than I thought it would be. Better fit for my 14 year old neice (was intended for my 21 year old nephew). Will be well loved by someone for sure.

Jeannie

Dec 3, 2024

Love, love, love this little bag.

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The size is perfect! And the craftsmanship is wonderful. The leather is of good quality and inside pockets are lined with strong cloth. You can't buy anything like this in a large store. Artisans from Novica have again NOT disappointed me! Have purchases many things from Novica and will keep buying from people who take pride in what they make.

Carol

Sep 25, 2024

Great quality & beautiful lil

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I love the look and feel of these small cotton bags. The colors are beautiful and they feel like they will last a long time. I am very glad I bought these!

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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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