Hermès Vintage Silver Cufflinks
About the Item
- Creator:
- Place of Origin:France
- Period:20th Century
- Date of Manufacture:Unknown
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Scratches/scuffs/oxidation throughout. One clip system is slightly loose but it does not prevent the closure and there is no risk of losing this cuffling when worn.
- Seller Location:Nice, FR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU25922508873
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: Nice, France
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Hilton Mac Connico for Daum Vintage Pate de Verre Cactus CufflinksLocated in Nice, FRHILTON MAC CONNICO for DAUM vintage pair of cufflinks featuring pate de verre cactus in a gold tone setting. Embossed HMC DAUM FRANCE. Indicative measurements : max. length approx....Category
20th Century French Cufflinks
- Hermès Vintage Chaine d'Ancre Silver CufflinksBy HermèsLocated in Nice, FRHERMES vintage "Chaine d'Ancre" silver cufflinks. Embossed HERMES and numbered on one cufflink (the other has no HERMES marking). Both cufflinks have French silver hallmar...Category
20th Century French Cufflinks
- CHRISTIAN LACROIX Vintage Matte Silver Tone Camarguaise Cross CufflinksBy Christian LacroixLocated in Nice, FRCHRISTIAN LACROIX vintage matte silver tone cufflinks featuring a Camarguaise cross with CL monogram. Unmarked. Indicative measurements : max. height approx. 2 cm (0.79 inch) / max...Category
20th Century French Cufflinks
- JEAN COCTEAU (After) Vintage CufflinksLocated in Nice, FRAfter JEAN COCTEAU vintage gold tone cufflinks featuring printed character inlaid plate. Printed with the cursive signature JEAN COCTEAU * on a cufflink a...Category
20th Century French Cufflinks
- Biche de Bere Vintage Silver Toned Architectural Choker NecklaceBy Biche de BereLocated in Nice, FRBICHE DE BERE vintage silver toned architectural choker necklace featuring articulated concave elements embossed with an abstract design. Hook clasp. Ext...Category
20th Century French Choker Necklaces
- Vintage Bejeweled Faux Pearl BroochLocated in Nice, FRVintage brooch featuring green and blue crystals with glass faux pearls. Unmarked. Indicative measurements : total height approx. 6 cm (2.36 inches) / width approx 3.4 cm (1.34 inc...Category
20th Century French Brooches
- Swiss Blue Topaz Sterling Silver CufflinksBy Esther EyreLocated in London, GBVenetian cufflinks in sterling silver set with Swiss blue topaz. Esther Eyre has been designing and making precious jewellery for over twenty years....Category
2010s British Baroque Revival Cufflinks
MaterialsTopaz, Sterling Silver
- Sacchi Lapis Lazuli Gemstone 18 Karat Satin Yellow Gold Cylinder Chain CufflinksBy Sacchi GioielliLocated in Rome, ITGorgeous Lapis Lazuli Gemstone Satin Yellow Gold Cylinder Chain Cufflinks hand-crafted with lost-wax casting technique. Lost-wax casting, one of t...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Cufflinks
MaterialsLapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- 2.98 Carats Heart Shape Blue Sapphire, Lapis and Diamond Cufflinks in 18k GoldBy Zahira Fine JewelleryLocated in Bangkok, THInspired by ancient Persia, these 18k yellow gold showcase a heart shaped blue sapphire at the centre of the design. Lapis lazuli is hand carved around ...Category
2010s Thai Art Deco Cufflinks
MaterialsDiamond, Lapis Lazuli, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
- 1.39 Carat Black Onyx and 1.14 Carat Diamond Baguette CufflinksBy Zahira Fine JewelleryLocated in Bangkok, THThese 18k white gold cufflinks are the perfect accesorry to amplify a mans power. The diamond baguettes are beauifully set with black onyx and pave'd diamonds. This is a true gentlem...Category
2010s Thai Art Deco Cufflinks
MaterialsDiamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
- Matthew Cambery 18 Karat Yellow Gold Cabochon Sapphire and Diamond CufflinksBy Matthew CamberyLocated in London, GBMatthew Cambery 18K Yellow Gold Cufflinks set with Cabochon Sapphires totalling 6.20ct surrounded by Brilliant Cut Diamonds totalling 0.74 Carats. Detailing of Engine Turned Sides. T...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Cufflinks
MaterialsSapphire, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
- Matthew Cambery 18 Karat Yellow Gold Enamel Diamond Emerald Cabochon CufflinksBy Matthew CamberyLocated in London, GBMatthew Cambery 18K Yellow Gold torpedo shape Cufflinks hand engraved and vitreous enamelled red and green with a band of brilliant cut diamonds totalling 0.55 ct set with emerald ca...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Cufflinks
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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.