We know Estonia
24.10.2023 | History

Explore 50 years of Estonian handbag design 

Text Mark Taylor
Photos Meeli Küttim

Explore 50 years of Estonian handbag design 

 

A new exhibition, which tells the story of Estonian handbag design in the first half of the 20th century, has opened at the Tallinn City Life Museum. The main focus of the exhibition is on the changing role of women between 1900 and 1950 and how this was reflected in the types of bags they used.

The first half of the last century saw big developments in handbag design. Innovative technical solutions were invented, new bag types and styles were added, and design principles that are still in use today were introduced.

The exhibition entitled “Everyday companions. HANDBAGS 1900–1950” focuses on handbags worn and made in Estonia. You can see historical rarities from the turn of the 20th century, when the handbag was a daily necessity and carrying it everywhere was just beginning to spread, to samples from the post-World War II standstill years. By that time, bags had become an indispensable consumer item, but their design relied on the achievements of previous decades. A total of 100 handbags are on display in the exhibition, four of which were made in Eduard Taska ‘s workshop.

It is also possible to get acquainted with the items that were carried in the bags. In this way, using the contents of one bag as an example, you can get an idea of the ways in which handbags were used in each decade: what was included in a lady’s afternoon bag, what was included in a handbag worn with an evening dress, or a beach bag.

The bags displayed in the exhibition come from the collections of Tallinn City Museum, Estonian History Museum, Estonian National Museum, Pärnu Museum, Narva Museum and Virumaa Museums, Palamuse O. Lutsu Parish School Museum and Rannarhava Museum and the private collection of Jaana Päev.

The exhibition will be open at the Tallinn City Life Museum until the end of 2024.

 

To learn more about this and similar topics
Eduard Taska Estonian Design Estonian Handbag Design Exhibition Handbag Handbag Exhibition Tallinn Tallinn City Life Museum

24.4.2025 | History

camera icon6
How Do You Know? Estonian History Revealed

How Do You Know? Estonian History Revealed

Did lions once inhabit the Estonian countryside? Where did Estonians even come from? And have they always been stubborn? … Read more

23.4.2025 | History

Estonian literature celebrates 500 years—rarities on display at the St Nicholas Church and Museum

Estonian literature celebrates 500 years—rarities on display at the St Nicholas Church and Museum

This year marks the 500th anniversary of the publication of the first book in Estonian. This anniversary will be … Read more

23.3.2025 | History

camera icon5
When shipping returned to Helsinki–Tallinn

When shipping returned to Helsinki–Tallinn

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the reopening of the Helsinki–Tallinn shipping route, which was closed when the … Read more

18.2.2025 | History

Exhibition explores 800 Years of Tartu’s history

Exhibition explores 800 Years of Tartu’s history

The exhibition Invisible City is open at the University of Tartu Museum until December 31, 2025, offers insight into … Read more

7.12.2024 | History

camera icon5
The horrors of the occupation of Estonia are told by the victims themselves

The horrors of the occupation of Estonia are told by the victims themselves

The story of the Soviet occupation of Estonia and the suffering it caused is now more relevant than ever. … Read more

5.12.2024 | History

Estonian War Museum opens exhibition on 1924 Communist Coup Attempt

Estonian War Museum opens exhibition on 1924 Communist Coup Attempt

The Estonian War Museum in Viimsi has opened a new exhibition, commemorating the events of December 1, 1924, when … Read more

23.11.2024 | History

How memories of the past are affecting Estonia today

How memories of the past are affecting Estonia today

Tangible remnants of the past, such as statues and sites, have once again become a contentious issue in Estonia. … Read more

18.8.2024 | History

Narva: A city that has always been fought over

Narva: A city that has always been fought over

In 1697, in the Swedish city of Narva, the Italian Du Thillier stabbed the Englishman Hoyle with his sword. … Read more