Iconic Gucci Gold Metal Minaudière Clutch w/Enameled Buckle Closure ca.1970s
View Similar Items
Iconic Gucci Gold Metal Minaudière Clutch w/Enameled Buckle Closure ca.1970s
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:In very good to excellent condition with a small, shallow indentation on the flat side adjacent to the front face at the right. The indentation is situated at the center bottom approximately 1/2" above the hinge mechanism.
- Seller Location:Studio City, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU357334082
Gucci
Long before trend-bucking creative director Alessandro Michele brought his hallucinatory “Utopian Fantasy” campaign to Gucci, it was a modest Italian leather shop. Today, it’s an internationally renowned luxury house with an iconic logo, and vintage Gucci clothing, handbags and shoes are among high fashion's most covetable goods.
Guccio Gucci (1881–1953) admired the stylish suitcases he saw wealthy guests arrive with at the Savoy Hotel in London, where he worked as a bellhop. So, in 1921, after a stint at Franzi, a luggage company in his hometown of Florence, he opened a leather goods shop of his own.
At first, Gucci’s Florence business specialized in equestrian accessories. But as its reputation flourished, particularly among the English aristocracy, so too did its footprint. In 1938, he brought three of his sons — Aldo, Vasco and Rodolfo — into the business and expanded it to Rome and later Milan. In the mid-1930s, a League of Nations embargo against Italy pushed Gucci to experiment with alternatives to imported leather. Its woven hemp fabric from Naples, adorned with the brand’s signature diamond print, was a hit, especially among A-list celebrities. The material was first used on suitcases before finding enduring popularity on handbags. (No list of revered designer purses would be complete without Gucci.)
In the 1950s, Elizabeth Taylor carried one of Gucci’s bamboo-handled tote bags, another adaptation to material rationing. After Jackie Kennedy was seen sporting a slouchy Gucci tote in 1961, it was renamed for the First Lady. Then Grace Kelly, on a visit to the boutique in Milan, inspired Rodolfo Gucci to work with Italian illustrator and Gucci textile designer Vittorio Accornero on the Flora print in 1966. Taking cues from Sandro Botticelli’s Primavera, with its pattern of flora and insects, it was painted entirely by hand and featured no fewer than 37 colors.
In 1953, just 15 days after opening his first store on New York’s 5th Avenue, Guccio passed away at 72. The early 1970s saw store openings in Tokyo and Hong Kong, but by the late 1980s, Gucci was floundering. Rodolfo Gucci took charge in 1982, but family drama and lawsuits ensued. In 1993, Rodolfo’s son, Maurizio, transferred his shares in the company to Investcorp, ending the family’s involvement in Gucci. Dawn Mello, then-president of Bergdorf Goodman, joined as creative director in 1989. But it was Tom Ford, who took over as creative director in 1994, who ultimately revived the brand.
Ford’s racy ads, shot by photographers such as Mario Testino, stirred controversy. And his potent vision of sexed-up femininity — with “jewel-toned satin shirts unbuttoned to there,” as Vogue described his breakthrough 1995 runway show — was wildly successful. The new millennium brought new ownership — Pinault Printemps Redoute in 2004 — and a more toned-down vision from Frida Giannini, who became sole creative director in 2006. Alessandro Michele was named creative director in 2015, and the storied brand took a giant leap forward.
Find vintage Gucci clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
- Judith Leiber Pink Swarovski Crystal Minaudière Clutch Evening Bag PurseBy Judith LeiberLocated in Studio City, CAA Judith Leiber pink minaudière evening purse entirely covered with pink Swarovski crystals. Features gold tone metal trim, a hinge-top opener/clasp and gold leather lined interior....Category
Late 20th Century American Evening Bags and Minaudières
- 1960s Prestige Black Calfskin Rectangular Destination Bag Box Purse w/City NamesBy PrestigeLocated in Studio City, CAA 1960's Prestige black calfskin rectangular destination purse bearing the names of famous cities. Purse opens to signature Prestige red leather interior with multiple side pockets. ...Category
1960s American Novelty Bags
- 1960's Prestige Black Leather Destination Box PurseBy PrestigeLocated in Studio City, CA1960's Prestige "Destination Purse" in black pebbled leather with top handle and featuring four metal plaques bearing the names of "destination" cities: New York, Paris, Rome, London. This style of...Category
1960s American Novelty Bags
- Vintage Hermes Black Leather Top Handle Handbag W/Lock & KeyBy HermèsLocated in Studio City, CAVintage Hermes black leather handbag with lock & key. Features gold hardware and black leather interior. In good vintage condition with minor scra...Category
Mid-20th Century French Top Handle Bags
- Saint Laurent YSL Black Uptown Leather Clutch PochetteBy Saint LaurentLocated in Studio City, CASaint Laurent black grain de poudre leather pouch/clutch with goldtone logo hardware on flap, fabric lining and magnetic flap closure. In excellent condition - has original Saks 5th ...Category
2010s Italian Clutches
- 1974 Christian Dior Haute Couture Black Silk Chiffon Pleated Dress No.00299IBy Christian DiorLocated in Studio City, CA1974 A/H Christian Dior haute couture black silk chiffon pleated dress with ruffled neck, sleeves and hem. Comes with pink silk self tie belt - unsure if belt is original. No size ta...Category
1970s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Chanel Orylag Triple Chain Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in London, GBA stylish and Chic Chanel Orylag flap bag from the Fall/Winter 2015 Act 1 Collection. The exterior of this bag features a navy orylag fur with antiqued s...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Chanel Black Velvet 2.55 Backpack, c. 1994-96By ChanelLocated in Westport, CTChanel Black Velvet 2.55 Backpack, c. 1994-96Category
1990s French Backpacks
- Chanel vintage black satin cc logo letter evening clutchBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLVery RARE classy and sophisticated while still maintaining an edgy feel CC metal frame magnetic closure interior is lined with CC monogram microfiber interior has interior pocket C...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Clutches
- Joaquin Olivier for Tabatà Scallops vintage bag 1960Located in Palm Beach, FLExceptional Minaudiére with a long strap in a shape of a scallops made in black leather, ostrich foot leather on the middle. Stunning item, delicate work ...Category
1960s French Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Chanel Gripoix and Satin Evening BagBy ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FLRare Chanel Gripoix collectable bag. In perfect condition. The purse is made of satin, the chain strap is constructed of doubled circular and oval links, each link is in a rope desig...Category
1990s French Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Chanel 1988 Black Velvet Vintage Kelly Top Handle Minaudière Clutch BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Black Velvet Vintage 80's Micro Mini Top Handle Minaudière Clutch Bag 1988 Spring Summer Haute Couture Gold Hardware Nylon Trim Quilted velvet Kelly style chain top handle...Category
1990s French Evening Bags and Minaudières
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Explore a Century of Gucci Fashion in London
The iconic Italian label’s traveling exhibition has just arrived in London.
The Stories behind the Most Famous Luxury Fashion Logos
From Chanel to YSL, the logos of some legacy fashion houses spark instant brand recognition and have come to symbolize a kind of luxury that feels at once aspirational and attainable.