Handbag
Category
Leatherwork
Date
Unknown
Materials
Cord, Glass, Perspex, Snake, Suede
Measurements
225 x 270 x 100 mm
Order this imageCollection
Chartwell, Kent
NT 1100389
Summary
Black snakeskin hand bag, suede lined, formerly owned by Lady Churchill; with matching hand mirror and purse, and twin cord handles and perspex clasp; given to Mrs. Gladys Harris when she worked in the laundry at Chartwell, thence to Mrs. J.M. Plowman of Bordon, Hampshire, who sent it to Chartwell 29.11.1990,
Full description
Lady Clementine gifted the handbag to a Mrs Gladys Harris, who worked in the laundry at Chartwell. This gift is believed to have been made during the Second World War, as per letter from Mrs J M Plowman (copy above). At the time of the gift to Mrs Harris, her husband, Albert (Burt) Harris was head gardener at Chartwell. Sometime before her death in 1986 Mrs Harris gave the handbag to her neighbour Mrs Plowman. Then in November 1990 Mrs Plowman decided to return the handbag to Chartwell, as explained in the handwritten letter above. There is also a thank you letter dated January 1990 (copy above, with possible typo, probably should be 1991). In the letter from Mrs Jean Broome, she refers to a Miss Grace Hamblin, who had worked with the Churchill family as a secretary from 1932. The letter indicates that Miss Hamblin is likely to know about the handbag and that Mrs Broome is going to show it to her. However, there is no record of any conversation about the bag or the reason why it was given to Mrs Harris. Gladys Violet Harris nee Wornham born Godalming to Henry and Emma Wornham, 22 January 1902 and died May 1986 in Alton, Hampshire. (See copy of 1911 Census above) Albert (Bert) Frederick Harris, born Orpington, 25 February 1902, died 28 May 1977. Albert was a gardener at Chartwell for approximately 3 years. Grace Hamblin placed an advert for a new head gardener in October 1947, as per Stefan Boczacki’s book ‘Churchill and Chartwell’. The book mentions Mr Harris on a couple of occasions. Gladys and Albert married on 15 August 1936 in the district Busbridge nr Godalming in Surrey (copy of marriage certificate above). Circa 1939 they lived for a time in ‘New Years Cottage’ Orpington. At the time of Alberts death they were living in Denton Cottage, Fairview Road, Headley Down, Borden. Based on the above it is probable that the handbag was gifted to Gladys Harris sometime between 1944 and 1947. The specific reason for the gift is not known although it is probably to do with leaving her employment at Chartwell and ‘gratitude’ for services while at Chartwell. Why Gladys left Chartwell may well have something to do with her husband also leaving Chartwell in 1947. No information can be found on Mrs J M Plowman. The following is a brief summary on Miss Grace Hamblin: Grace Hamblin (b 1 January 1908 – d 15 October 2002). The daughter of the head gardener of a neighbouring property, she was educated at Crookham Hill Church of England School and later at a secretarial training college. Grace Gamblin came to the Churchills as a holiday ’help out’ in the Chartwell office in 1932 and remained in their employment until 1966. She worked at Chartwell until 1939, when she went to London and was CSC’s personal private secretary throughout the war. Grace accompanied Lady Churchill to the first Quebec Conference (1943) and on her journey to Russia (March-May 1945). She was awarded the OBE in 1945. After the was Grace was again based at Chartwell and managed the domestic and estate life there until Churchill’s death in 1965. In 1966, when the National Trust took over Chartwell, she became the first Administrator, until her retirement in 1973. A woman of loyalty, charm, discernment and discretion. Churchill and Lady Churchill were equally devoted to her, as were all the family. She lived on the Green at Westerham. The following link goes to the ‘International Churchill Society’ and a page dedicated to Miss Grace Hamblin. https://winstonchurchill.org/publications/finest-hour/finest-hour-117/remembering-grace-hamblin-1908-2002/ Details and photos, of the handbag, were sent to the ‘Textiles and Fashion Department’ of the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum in London. The following is the reply from Stephanie Wood Curator of the ‘Textiles and Fashion Department’, sent in an email dated 10 September 2021. Many thanks for your enquiry, it is a lovely bag. Looking at the shape and size of the bag, overall style, use of snakeskin and perspex frame and clasp structure, it appears to be 1950s in date, or very possibly early 60s. (This information is at odds with the information of Gladys Harris leaving Chartwell) The 1950s saw a rise in luxury materials such as snakeskin being used for luxury handbag production. While handbags featuring a frame and clasp opening have been popular for well over a century, in the 1950s perspex, lucite and other forms of plastic became popular for handbag frames. If you had information on record confirming the date when Lady Churchill transferred the bag to Ms Harris, that would certainly help you narrow the dates. Without the inclusion of a label, makers mark or brand logo it is difficult to identify the maker. Having done some initial image research on Getty and Alamy, there are lots of images recording Lady Churchill's choice of bag from the 1940s through to the 1970s (included below). Sadly no images of this bag being worn, but it is clear from the photographs that she continued to favour a specific style of black minimal, often leather handbag for daywear. https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/lady-clementine-churchill-on-her-way-to-launch-the-new-news-photo/51808246?adppopup=true https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/clementine-churchill-baroness-spencer-churchill-the-widow-news-photo/862258618 https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/lady-clementine-churchill-the-widow-of-the-british-news-photo/613501012 https://www.alamy.com/lady-clementine-churchill-after-lunch-on-her-80th-birthday-image69415799.html https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/clementine-churchill-baroness-spencer-churchill-the-widow-news-photo/862260528
Provenance
Formerly owned by Lady Churchill, then Mrs. Gladys Harris and then Mrs. J.M. Plowman who sent it to Chartwell 29.11.1990