1970's bronze picture frame by Hermès
About the Item
- Creator:Hermès (Cabinetmaker)
- Dimensions:Height: 5.91 in (15 cm)Width: 6.7 in (17 cm)Depth: 3.94 in (10 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970's
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Bois-Colombes, FR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU946037895382
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: Saint-Ouen, France
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- 1970's Letter opener by Maison HermèsBy HermèsLocated in Bois-Colombes, FR1970's Letter opener in plated silver signed by Maison Hermès FranceCategory
Vintage 1970s French Letter Openers
MaterialsSilver Plate
- 1970's Leather hand lens by Maison HermèsBy HermèsLocated in Bois-Colombes, FR1970's hand lens by Maison Hermès Signed FranceCategory
Vintage 1970s French Letter Openers
MaterialsBrass
- 1970's Leather Boxe Signed Hermes ParisBy HermèsLocated in Bois-Colombes, FRRare boxe in green leather designed by Maison Hermes Circa 1970's.Category
Vintage 1970s French Decorative Boxes
MaterialsLeather
- 1970's bronze sconces by Maison CharlesBy Maison CharlesLocated in Bois-Colombes, FRNIce pair of bronze sconces with polished brass shade Signed by Maison Charles Made in France Two pairs available Re-wiredCategory
Vintage 1970s French Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBronze
- 1970s Solid Bronze Sculpture by Victor RomanBy Victor RomanLocated in Bois-Colombes, FROne of kind sculpture by Victor Roman.Category
Vintage 1970s French Sculptures
MaterialsBronze
- 1970's Polished Bronze Lamp by Riccardo ScarpaBy Riccardo ScarpaLocated in Bois-Colombes, FRRare polished brass tall bird lamp signed Scarpa Circa 1970's Dimensions given without shade No shade provided.Category
Vintage 1970s European Table Lamps
MaterialsBronze
- Empire Gilt Bronze Picture FrameLocated in London, GBEmpire gilt bronze picture frame French, 19th Century Measures: Height 11cm, width 8cm, depth 0.5cm The rectangular picture frame featur...Category
Antique 19th Century French Empire Picture Frames
MaterialsOrmolu
- 1970s Italian Wooden Picture FrameBy Romeo RegaLocated in Roma, ITA very striking large 1970s striped wooden Italian picture frame. This style of frame was prevalent in the 60s and 70s and is an iconic Italian design piece. The dark and light diago...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames
MaterialsBrass
- Vintage Italian Picture Frame, 1970sLocated in Auribeau sur Siagne, FRVintage Italian picture frame, 1970s. this has been made in Italy. In xhrome and brass.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Picture Frames
MaterialsBrass, Chrome
- Wooden Picture Frame, circa 1970Located in Barcelona, BarcelonaMidcentury wooden picture frame. Traditionally manufactured circa 1970. In original condition with minor wear consistently of age and use, preservin...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames
MaterialsWood
- Large Gilt Bronze and Dioptase Lamp Picture Frame by Boeltz, France, 1970sBy Claude Victor BoeltzLocated in SAINT-OUEN, FRTall model of photo picture or drawing frame light lamp in gilt bronze and dioptase stone by the french artist Claude Victor Boeltz.Category
Vintage 1970s French Hollywood Regency Picture Frames
MaterialsQuartz, Stone, Bronze
- Sculptural Bronze David Marshall Signed Picture Frame, circa 1970, Spain.By David MarshallLocated in Brussels, BERare scupltural mid-century picture frame signed by David Marshall, circa 1970, Spain. Gilt bronze stamped, glass. All purchases are covered by our Buyer Protection Guarantee. This ...Category
Vintage 1970s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames
MaterialsBronze
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.