Vintage Clutch-Bag from India in the Shantiniketan Style

I’ve owned this unusual clutch-bag for a number of years.

It was a perfect size to take with me many times when a regular bag was too large.  It would hold some money, a comb, and my car keys.

It shows a little wear but it still looks great.

I purchased this bag when I worked at the hospital.  One time, our physicist visited India.  He returned with a large amount of leather bags we could purchase from him.  I believe I paid only $7 for this clutch-bag.

Clutch Bag from India with Twin Bull Design

This woman’s hand-held clutch purse is made of leather and closes with a magnetic button.  Inside it has a small zipper pocket with a mirror.  On the front are two twin bulls engaged in a fight.  The bag is also embossed and painted.

I believe the motif of the bag was made in the Shantiniketan style of painting.  However, not totally sure on this point as there was not too much information on this.

The Shantiniketan style begun in India in the 1940’s and evolved as the result of the Art Movement.  This period is famous for their batik, applique and embossed hand-crafted items.

The Shantiniketan movement in West Bengal was started to celebrate India’s culture, heritage, and values including art.

They believed art from India should consist of traditional motifs and show rural life.

The Shantiniketan artists wanted their art work to be different from oriental or western art.  They frowned on using oil paints, easels or formal art materials.  Instead, they wanted to work on paper with water colors, tempera, wash and ink.

The Shantiniketan view of life celebrates the rural Indian culture and values.

From now on, I’ll probably look at this little clutch-bag in a whole different light.