The impractically small chainmail handbag appears in photographs prior to the Great War.

Usually it has a chainlink handle but not always.
Generally women's clothing at this time did not have pockets.These bags were valued to the degree that they often appear in photographs.
Because they were so durable they have often survived intact to the present day and can often be found in antique shops.

Above photograph from about 1907: Age about 18 years old  • Estimate: born 1888 ± 3 years

London Photographer  Inscribed :To Dear Grandmother with Daisy's love