Oval Purses:

The most popular purse is the classic eight inch oval. Larger baskets are occasionally requested by those wanting a more roomy basket or an interesting display piece.

Usually however, any deviation from the eight inch is a smaller six or seven inch basket, dubbed a "cocktail" basket because it was the choice of Nantucket women for evening events.

A modification of the classic oval is a flat-backed oval which is curved on the front and flat on the rear. A sporty variation on the flat-backed basket is the creel which has a wooden top and resembles a traditional fishing creel. The flat-backed ovals are usually fitted with leather straps to serve as shoulder bags.

Classic Eight Inch Oval

Oak staves and handle, standard ivory peg and knobs

Seven Inch Creel

Cherry staves & top

Eight Inch Oval

Solid Ivory Top, Ivory Clasp,Fossilized Ivory Scallop Carving &Cane Staves

Like ovals, a comfortable, standard size for a round purse would be eight inches, although cocktail and children's baskets are smaller.

A different, elegant look is a very tall, narrow round fitted with a silk shoulder strap.

An delightful innovation is the clamshell purse - a shallow round that is carried tipped on its side, opening like a shell and fitted with a leather or silk shoulder strap. Heart shaped "rounds" are carried in the same fashion.

Individualization:

There are infinite ways to individualize your purse. Simply weaving the basket to a taller or shorter height can make a great design difference. The choice of different woods for the top plate and staves adds to the unique look of your piece.

Nothing is quite as personal, however, as your choice of ivory accoutrements - carvings, scrimshaw, ivory latches. All Martha Lawrence purses come with ivory pegs and handle knobs. (These can be changed to fossilized walrus ivory, ebony or other woods, if you prefer.)

If you wish to add carvings or scrimshaw, we can work together to choose a piece appropriate for your basket and crafted by New England's finest ivory artists.