Featured Whiting Davis handbag with unpopular German symbol.

Soooo, I have this WD enamel bag for years and I don’t know what to do with it. Even though it predates the war (20’s I believe) I don’t want to offend anyone. Can I, should I sell it? There is one on eBay now with the same symbol but a different style WD.

 

Interesting! Thank you. I’ve never heard that term before.

 

I usually think of the repulsive nazi symbol as a 'hakenkreuz'...

https://www.google.com/search?q=naz...XlUN8KHQCwD_YQ_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1396&bih=686

~Cheryl

 

I don't know how she would feel about this particular bag but I know @Ownedbybear has a real soft spot for evening bags. Maybe you two could work out something between the 2 of you.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika

 

that's a good luck symbol........

 

The responses illustrate exactly why I am torn about this. I don’t want it but as a reseller, what to do?

 

Isn't straight 'up & down' like that an India-n symbol...not swastika?

 

There is a market for everything. Some sites may prohibit sale of any items with such symbol and it’s understandable. Any chance that symbol was added later or is it a part of an original design? If original I think good explanation and to disassociate it from ww2 should help. Good luck.

 

http://www.bagladyemporium.com/BLU/index.php?n=Main.WhitingDavisCo

 

https://www.trocadero.com/stores/gr...5/Rare-Deco-Enamel-Mesh-Purse-Baby-Peggy#item

 

My post was brief because I had to run out and pick something up, so it was unclear - personally, I'm not offended by the swastika on your purse, it predates the use of the symbol by nazis. I'm not Jewish, but when I was eight, I moved to Skokie, a Chicago 'burb with a very large Jewish population, many of my friends' parents and grandparents were Holocaust survivors and/or lost loved ones to that horror, so I learned early, and am appalled and disgusted by anything related. But the swastika, fylfot, whirling log, whatever it's called, has a long positive history in many cultures, so in my mind, the German hakenkreuz, in the 'on-point' orientation, is separate, and I have a few spoons and pieces of jewelry bearing a swastika, as Komo said, a good-luck symbol. I wouldn't wear the jewelry, but I did display the spoons, ready with a quick explanation of their origins if they caught someone's eye, so I do understand the unwillingness to offend...

Native Americans have a long history of using the 'whirling log', but in 1940, the Navajo, Papago, Apache and Hopi people gave up part of their culture, and issued a proclamation headed by an exed-out swastika, that read, "Because the above ornament, which has been a symbol of friendship among our forefathers for many centuries, has been desecrated recently by another nation of peoples, therefore it is resolved that henceforth from this date on and forever more our tribes renounce the use of the emblem commonly known today as the swastika or fylfot on our blankets, baskets, art objects, sand paintings and clothing.".

~Cheryl

 

Many thanks for that, DragonflyWink. I knew a little about the history of these symbols in Eurasia, but nothing at all about the similar Native American symbols.

https://jewishjournal.com/culture/229529/image-week-indians-drop-swastika/


As for the bag, I can't imagine it's going to attract anyone primarily because of the symbol. You either like that style of bag and want it for a whole bunch of reasons, or you don't. I don't think we need to worry about seeing it at a far right event.

 

It is a beautiful bag, Patty. I am sure collectors understand that the symbol is in no way linked to the Nazis.

The word swastika is derived from the Sanskrit, an Indian language (India). It is an ancient Asian sun symbol which is considered life giving and auspicious.
It can turn in either direction depending on its purpose, but the purpose is always good in Asian cultures. In Asia it can also rest on one of the arms, without a negative connotation.
It is related to other ancient sun symbols, including ancient European, African and American ones, many of which look exactly like the Asian swastika. The NA whirling log is also originally a sun symbol.

 

Thank you everyone for the insightful comments and links. Much appreciated.

I suppose I will sell it as it causes me too much angst and the reseller in me won’t toss it. (Although the thought of a far right leaning person having it makes me want to gag).
@Ownedbybear if you are interested please let me know.

 

Thanks honey - the problem is I use my bags, and I wouldn't feel able to use that one. Appreciate the thought, goodd luck with it!