Pair of Floral Needlepoint Purses. 1960s. Maker: JR Florida. Two similar purses, one black, one brown, both with floral needlepoint detail by famous maker JR (Julius Resnick) Florida. They are woven fabric handbags with needlepoint fronts trimmed in matching edging. The brown one has an interesting snap-handle closure and the black one has a more traditional goldtone clasp. Both have interior zip pockets.

I have quite a few JR bags, with needlework and appliques, in traditional form, tote and box-style. What amazes me is how much work that went into each of these. Considering the mass-producing of today's purses, this style is truly a lost art.

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