Hermes, Paris, Equestrian / Horse Head Letter Opener, c.1960
About the Item
- Creator:Ravinet D' Enfert (Maker),Hermès (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 2.13 in (5.42 cm)Width: 9 in (22.86 cm)Depth: 1.38 in (3.51 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Bath, GB
- Reference Number:
Hermès
For Hermès, what began as a maker of leather equestrian goods for European noblemen would eventually grow into one of the most storied fashion labels in the world. In 1837, German-born French entrepreneur Thierry Hermès opened a saddle and harness purveyor in Paris. Gradually, the house extended into accessories and luggage for its riders, and today, in paying homage to its origins, the family-run luxury brand resurfaces horse motifs in everything from clothing and modernist jewelry to pillows and handbags.
The first top-handled bag ever produced by Hermès was the Haut à courroies, which made its debut in 1892. A tall bag secured with a folded leather flap (fastened with bridle-inspired straps), it was designed to transport riding boots and a harness.
As the world made the switch from horse to automobile, the bag adapted, becoming a multifunctional travel satchel instead of a designated saddlebag. Today, 120 years later, the HAC remains in Hermès’s line — and its distinctive flap and clasping straps have laid the groundwork for some of the house’s other iconic bags.
In the 1930s, Robert Dumas (son-in-law to Émile-Maurice Hermès, Thierry’s grandson) designed a smaller, trapezoidal take on the flap bag with a handle and two side straps. Later, actress Grace Kelly, then engaged to Prince Rainier of Monaco, is said to have used one of these bags to conceal her pregnancy during the 1950s. Because she was photographed constantly, the coverage catapulted her handbag to international popularity.
In 1977, Hermès officially renamed the model for her, and the Kelly bag was born. Each Kelly bag takes between 18 and 25 hours to produce, and its 680 hand stitches owe solely to one Hermès artisan.
Robert Dumas was also responsible for another one of the brand’s most iconic offerings: the launch of its first silk scarf on the occasion of Hermès’s 100th anniversary in 1937. Based on a woodblock designed by Dumas and printed on Chinese silk, the accessory was an immediate hit.
Today, vintage Hermès scarves, typically adorned in rich colors and elaborate patterns, serve many functions, just as they did back then. Well-heeled women wear it on their heads, around their necks and, in a genius piece of cross-promotion, tied to the straps of their Hermès bags. Kelly even once used one as a sling for her broken arm.
In 1981, Robert Dumas’s son Jean-Louis Dumas, then Hermès chairman, found himself sitting next to French actress and musician Jane Birkin on a plane, where she was complaining about finding a suitable carryall for the necessary accoutrements of motherhood. After the two travelers were properly introduced, Birkin helped design Jean-Louis’s most famous contribution to the Hermès canon: the Birkin bag, a roomy, square catchall with the HAC’s trademark leather flap top and the addition of a lock and key.
Owing to the brand’s legendary commitment to deft, handcrafted construction, the Birkin is an investment that is coveted by collectors everywhere.
While the Kelly and Birkin may be standouts, gracing the arms of everyone from royal heiresses to hip-hop stars in the past few decades, the handbags are but a small part of Hermès’s fashion offerings.
Since the 1920s, the brand has produced some of the most desirable leather goods in the world. There’s the Constance bag, a favorite of Jacqueline Kennedy, the recently relaunched 1970s-era Evelyne and, on the vintage market, a slew of designs dating back to the 1920s.
Good design never goes out of style. Find a variety of vintage Hermès handbags, day dresses, shoes and more on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Bath, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Hermes, Paris, Equestrian / Horse Head Letter Opener, c.1960By Ravinet D' Enfert, HermèsLocated in Bath, GBA highly collectable letter opener or paper knife made by silver plated bronze and dating to c.1960. The handle is in the form of a horse head, beautifully executed. The underside...Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
MaterialsSilver Plate
- Vintage Hermes, Paris, Silvered Bronze Letter Opener, EquestrianBy Hermès, Ravinet D' EnfertLocated in Bath, GBA superb and scarcely found letter opener made in silvered bronze, the handle in the form of a horse. Dating to c.1960, the underside is fully marked "Hermes, Paris" together with...Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
MaterialsBronze
- Hermes, Paris, Equestrian Horse Head Magnifying Glass c.1960By Ravinet D' Enfert, HermèsLocated in Bath, GBA magnificent and grand vintage desk-top magnifying glass / loupe made with it's beautifully cast Hermes Horse head handle, lovely quality to be expected from this most famous of lux...Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Paperweights
MaterialsSilver Plate
- Vintage French Equestrian Letter Opener, Christian Dior, c.1970'sBy Christian DiorLocated in Bath, GBAn unusual and highly sought-after vintage silver plated letter opener by the world renowned, Christian Dior. The letter opener is fashioned in the form of a belt with engraved "s...Category
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
MaterialsSilver Plate
- Hermès, Paris - Rare Equestrian Champagne Bucket c.1960By Hermès, Ravinet D' EnfertLocated in Bath, GBA rare opportunity to acquire one of these iconic and highly coveted Champagne buckets in silver plate by the luxury Maison Hermès of Paris. Perfect for the Equestrian devotee, with...Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Wine Coolers
MaterialsSilver Plate
- Hermes, Paris - Equestrian Sterling Silver Smoking Compendium c.1960By Hermès, Ravinet D' EnfertLocated in Bath, GBA true gem of a smoking set; of course could be used for many other uses, it makes a wonderful table display. Made from solid French silver having...Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Hermes Equestrian Letter Opener, 1960s FranceBy HermèsLocated in Los Angeles, CASleek Hermès letter opener with a detailed horse head handle in solid metal. Hermès Paris stamped on the top of blade. Beautiful light patina to t...Category
Vintage 1960s French Desk Sets
MaterialsMetal
- Silver Plated Equestrian Horse Head Letter Opener, Italy, 1960sLocated in Los Angeles, CAA silver plated equestrian letter opener with a horse's head handle. This is a must-have on any gentleman collector's wish list.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
MaterialsSilver Plate
- Sterling Silver Equestrian Letter Opener by Hermes ParisBy HermèsLocated in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABASterling Silver Equestrian Letter Opener by Hermes Paris Beautiful letter opener with a horse head handle and decorated with vertical lines towards the tip, signed on the bottom. Mea...Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Reed and Barton Silver Plate Horse Head Letter OpenerLocated in Los Angeles, CASilver plate Reed and Barton horse head letter opener. A nice addition to any desk or work station. A handsome piece for the horse enthusiast, owner or trainer - the piece has fai...Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
MaterialsSilver Plate
- Carl Auböck for Hermes Letter Opener, 1960sLocated in Berlin, DEHermes letter opener, 1960s by Carl AuböckCategory
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
MaterialsBrass
- Silver Dunhill Letter Opener with a Horse Head London, 1981By DunhillLocated in London, GBAn impressive quality Silver Dunhill letter opener with an intricately carved horses head on one end. The shape of the horse head is curved wonderfully ...Category
Vintage 1980s English Letter Openers
MaterialsSilver
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
The Hermès Passe-Guide Bag Might Not Be as Well Known as the Birkin or Kelly, But It’s Every Bit as Chic
Find out why this under-the-radar piece is so exceptional.
How to Spot a Fake Hermès Birkin Bag
The iconic Birkin bag is much coveted — and often copied. Find out how to tell the real deal from a convincing fake. Of course, you don't have to worry about this on 1stDibs, where every seller is highly vetted.