Vintage Personalized Hand-Tooled Western Leather Handbag

This is a personalized vintage shoulder bag crafted from heavy-gauge vegetable-tanned bovine leather, showcasing characteristic mid-20th-century Western American craftsmanship. The bag features a saddle-style silhouette with a rounded base and a curved front flap. The exterior is decorated with intricate hand-tooling in a classic sheridan-style floral and foliate motif, centered around the name "ARLENE" embossed in bold block lettering. The leather exhibits a rich warm honey-to-espresso gradient patina, achieved through traditional staining techniques that highlight the depth of the carving. The edges of the flap and the main body are finished with white leather whip-stitching (lacing), while the shoulder strap is uniquely constructed from wide, interlocking braided leather strips attached via brass rings. A rectangular metal turn-lock or slip-clasp closure is visible on the front. Condition-wise, the bag shows moderate wear consistent with age, including surface scuffs, darkening of the oils in high-touch areas, and some fraying or discoloration on the white lacing. This piece likely dates from the 1950s to 1970s and represents a high level of artisanal leatherworking, commonly found in custom shop orders from the American Southwest or Mexico.