Sterling Silver-Framed Black Silk Evening Bag — D. Balazs San Francisco View Watchlist >
- Winning Bid: $261.51
- 53 Bid(s) View Bid History
- High Bidder: Mercedes
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Lot # C952
System ID # 27399226
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Sterling Silver-Framed Black Silk Evening Bag — D. Balazs San Francisco
A sterling silver-framed evening bag from the workshop of D. Balazs, Maker, San Francisco — one of the city's most intriguing undocumented luxury ateliers. The frame is the centerpiece: cast and chased sterling, stamped STERLING V6 on the inner spine, with a pierced shell cartouche anchoring the center of the top rail, flanked by engraved acanthus scroll borders, a beaded outer edge, and foliate corner terminals. At 185.50 grams total weight, the silver content alone gives this piece real material value before the provenance is even considered. The original kiss-lock clasp is intact and functional. The body is built from pleated black grosgrain silk in radiating folds that fan into a rounded shell silhouette, lined throughout in pale pink satin.
D. Balazs was a Hungarian immigrant who arrived in San Francisco in the late 1800s, registered his luxury goods business on Market Street around 1904, and after the 1906 earthquake relocated near the Union Square jewelers district on Post Street. His family came from a Hungarian guild tradition of fine handbag making, and the workshop operated into the 1930s and 40s — select pieces retailed through Gump's, San Francisco's premier luxury house. The decorative chain handle alternates plain oval links with engraved floral medallion links, matched in style and period to the frame throughout.
CONDITION Good. The sterling frame and chain carry heavy age patina and surface oxidation throughout — we'll leave the polishing to you. The grosgrain fabric shows light age relaxation and minor surface dulling consistent with period use; no tears, splits, or structural damage are present.
DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS
- Overall: 7½" × 8½" × 4"
- Chain Length: 16"
- Weight: 185.50 grams
- Frame: Sterling silver, stamped STERLING V6 with additional mark
- Body: Black pleated grosgrain silk
- Lining: Pale pink satin
- Closure: Original kiss-lock clasp, functional
- Maker: D. Balazs, Maker — San Francisco (sewn label present)
