{"product_id":"mid-century-taxidermy-armadillo-purse-w-mirror-braided-strap","title":"Mid-Century Taxidermy Armadillo Purse w\/ Mirror \u0026 Braided Strap","description":"\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"11v4tgk\" data-start=\"558\" data-end=\"574\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eArchive Notes\u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"576\" data-end=\"751\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVintage Genuine Armadillo Handbag - Taxidermy Folk Art Purse\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eA mid-century handbag made from a genuine preserved armadillo carapace, complete with the animal’s head and armored feet arranged across the domed body.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"753\" data-end=\"1183\"\u003eThe shell has been adapted into a purse. The hinged flap opens to reveal a small circular mirror, while a braided burgundy strap allows the piece to be carried over the shoulder. The interior is lined in dark burgundy leather.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1185\" data-end=\"1799\"\u003eThese armadillo purses belong to a peculiar chapter in American souvenir history. In 1898, German immigrant and basket maker Charles Apelt opened an armadillo-goods factory near Comfort, Texas. His workshop turned shells into baskets, purses, lamps and other novelties; within roughly six years, the business reportedly sold about 40,000 pieces. The enterprise continued under the Apelt family for decades before closing in 1971. Similar bags were also produced elsewhere in Texas, the American Southwest and Mexico.\u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"fykqkn\" data-start=\"3100\" data-end=\"3110\"\u003eDetails\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"3112\" data-end=\"4962\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"6ethls\" data-start=\"3112\" data-end=\"3204\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"3114\" data-end=\"3125\"\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Probably United States or Mexico\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e \u003cstrong data-start=\"3207\" data-end=\"3216\"\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mid-20th century, (c 1930s–1960s)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"6ethls\" data-start=\"3112\" data-end=\"3204\"\u003e\n\u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3270\" data-end=\"3283\"\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Genuine preserved armadillo carapace, head and feet; leather trim; braided cord; metal clasp; mirror; leather lined interior\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"6ethls\" data-start=\"3112\" data-end=\"3204\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"o82yvs\" data-start=\"3427\" data-end=\"3581\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"3429\" data-end=\"3444\"\u003eDecoration:\u003c\/strong\u003e Naturally patterned armored shell with darker staining, reddish-brown stitched leather flap and matching burgundy braided shoulder strap\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"19k4s4k\" data-start=\"3668\" data-end=\"3864\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"3670\" data-end=\"3683\"\u003eFeatures:\u003c\/strong\u003e Preserved armadillo head and multiple clawed feet; hinged flap with circular interior mirror; functioning turn-style clasp; shoulder-length braided strap; lined storage compartment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"6ethls\" data-start=\"3112\" data-end=\"3204\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"6ethls\" data-start=\"3112\" data-end=\"3204\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"6ethls\" data-start=\"3112\" data-end=\"3204\"\u003e\n\u003ca data-encoded-tag-name=\"meta\" data-encoded-tag-value=\"\" data-encoded-attr-charset=\"VVRGLTg=\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"3882\" data-start=\"3867\"\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 12 in. wide × 8 in. high; approximately 20 in. from the top of the strap to its attachment point on the bag. \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3267\" data-start=\"3205\" data-section-id=\"qr2nf5\"\u003e\u003ca data-encoded-tag-name=\"meta\" data-encoded-tag-value=\"\" data-encoded-attr-charset=\"VVRGLTg=\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"DEADSKULL","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46540819529925,"sku":null,"price":345.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0759\/4849\/0949\/files\/770CEEF7-8E38-4D38-990F-7BE5DF419132.png?v=1784163140","url":"https:\/\/deadskull.co\/products\/mid-century-taxidermy-armadillo-purse-w-mirror-braided-strap","provider":"DEADSKULL","version":"1.0","type":"link"}