We found a Chanel handbag and purse in my grandmother’s loft. Are they authentic and how much are they worth? DAN HATFIELD responds

While we were going up to the loft to take down the Christmas decorations to help our grandmother decorate her house, we found a Chanel handbag and purse. They wrapped him in some old sheets and put him in an old suitcase.

To put it in context, my grandmother used to work for a wealthy Middle Eastern family as a housekeeper in London. For Christmas, one of the daughters gave it to her sometime in the late 80s or early 90s.

My grandmother told us to throw it away or give it to the charity shop because she thought it was just a generic handbag and purse, not knowing the Chanel logo.

I know my grandma could secretly use some extra money with the cost of everything going up and the holiday season right around the corner.

Do you think it could be something real and, if so, what is its value? Hen, by email

Dan Hatfield, our resident valuation expert, answers: I have always had a fondness for Chanel.

Founded in 1910 by Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel, this brand is known for its timeless elegance, innovative design and for maintaining the highest standards in craftsmanship.

With a feminine and bold design, this fashion house screams luxury. This is not just a bag, it is a statement, an investment and, in this case, a hidden gem with a story to tell.

At first glance, I think you’ve stumbled upon a Christmas cookie.

That’s why I always recommend rummaging through lofts and storage spaces in case there are any forgotten or misplaced gems. This really could be the most wonderful time of the year.

This impressive set comes from the 1990s. A decade that was generally optimistic, a time when looking towards the new millennium with anticipation and excitement.

Chanel marked this decade with a period of reinvention, a truly transformative turn, combining its classic past with daring, contemporary twists.

All expertly planned by its legendary creative leader, Karl Lagerfeld. The objective was to attract a younger and more avant-garde market.

Bags became the essential accessory of this decade. Chanel made sure that fashionistas like Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, Linda Evangelista and others of a similar ilk were seen with its branded bag.

So is yours genuine? It’s a question I get asked as much as “how much is it worth?”

It should also be taken into account that in the 90s “super fakes” emerged: counterfeit bags so convincing that only an experienced expert could identify them.

But based on your description and the photos you’ve provided, things look promising.

There are a couple of ways we can examine whether your bag is real or not. First, color: Counterfeiters often stumble over this crucial hurdle, but yours overcomes it.

Rich, deep navy blue and vibrant red are the Chanel trend of the ’90s. Then there’s the stitching. Authentic Chanel bags have 11 stitches per side on the quilted leather diamonds and yes, I counted them, yours did too.

Finally, the hardware. The gold-plated chain, zippers, and clasps of this era had a rich, almost buttery shine, while cheaper counterfeits often appeared brassy or dull.

Your bag ticks all the crucial boxes. Of course, seeing and feeling it in person would make me 100 percent sure, but photographs give me incredible confidence.

It really is an impressive bag. Captures the decade’s fun use of colors and designs.

Yes, they still produced the classic flap, but this bag instantly points to 1990. Called Trapeze for its shape, it’s made of navy and red lambskin.

I visited my friend and world-leading expert on luxury vintage bags, Charlotte Rodgers, in her store. This old London thing in the vaults of Hatton Garden and we talked about your bag.

He said that it “has the timeless appeal that Chanel truly embodies” and that “Chanel bags have stood the test of time.”

She went on to tell me: ‘One of the most collectible features of this bag is the gold hardware.

“At that time, in the ’90s, Chanel produced bags with high-karat gold-plated metal parts, which gave a rich and luxurious finish to the chain.”

I totally agree with your analysis.

And vintage is big business: the throwaway culture of the ’80s, ’90s, and ’20s has been replaced by an emphasis on repurposing, repurposing, and recycling.

Our society is changing the way it views material goods. It’s great to have used items now and there is a huge demand for items from the 90s.

Chanel is also a timeless brand, always young, relevant and always collectible.

You’re looking at a bag that is incredibly collectible and in demand because it hits all the right notes for what people are investing in right now.

The fact that you still have the matching wallet is great too. Many other examples of this bag can be found for sale without the matching wallet, so this adds value, and the fact that it looks unused and carefully stored is also a big selling point.

As Charlotte says: “This bag is a gem.”

Selling this bag wouldn’t be difficult, its popularity means it wouldn’t be on the market for long. I would value this set at around £3000, maybe even a little more given the condition and matching bag.

I don’t remember the exact cost of this in 1990, but I’m pretty sure it has increased in value.

Handbags (the right kind, like Chanel, Hermes and Louis Vuitton) can often generate fantastic returns on your initial investment.

What a wonderful find while you were rummaging through the attic for Christmas decorations.

If your grandmother decides to sell, I’m sure there could be a pretty impressive array of gifts around the Christmas tree.