Hermès Buffalo Horn Necklace
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Dimensions:Length: 17.72 in (450 mm)
- Place of Origin:Vietnam
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Unknown
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Paris, FR
- 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: Paris, France
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- CHRISTIAN LACROIX Vintage Heart Choker in Silver Plate MetalBy Christian LacroixLocated in Paris, FRCHRISTIAN LACROIX Heart Choker in Silver Plate Metal set with turquoise stone. Vintage jewel in very good condition. Made in France. Dimensions: total length of the ribbon 33 cm. Bro...Category
Late 20th Century French Choker Necklaces
MaterialsTurquoise, Silver Plate
- MARGUERITE de VALOIS Choker Necklace with Rhinestones and Molten GlassBy Marguerite de ValoisLocated in Paris, FRMARGUERITE de VALOIS choker necklace with rhinestones and molten glass. This couture jewel was made in the Parisian workshops MARGUERITE de VALOIS. Set with rhinestones on gold meta...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Choker Necklaces
MaterialsGold Plate
- CHANEL Chain And Tweed BreastplateBy ChanelLocated in Paris, FRThe breastplate comes from Maison CHANEL. Triangular in shape, it is made up of silver metal chains which intertwine tweed in shades of green, silver and black. This piece is from a ...Category
2010s French Choker Necklaces
- Chanel Choker Necklace 7 Golden Chains and Central Large CCBy ChanelLocated in Paris, FRRare piece! Choker necklace composed of 7 fine gold-plated metal chains and a monumental central jewel representing a large CC, a branch of coral, rhinestones diamonds and rubies. ...Category
2010s French Chain Necklaces
MaterialsOther, Gilt Metal
- LANVIN Necklace with LOVE Golden PendantBy Lanvin ParisLocated in Paris, FRLANVIN necklace with LOVE golden pendant in gilded metal, closing ring and faceted crystal stones. Never worn. Size: total length 72 cm - can be worn s...Category
2010s Chain Necklaces
MaterialsGilt Metal
- Marguerite de Valois "Heart" Necklace in Red Molten GlassBy Marguerite de ValoisLocated in Paris, FRUnique piece, Marguerite de Valois 'Hearts' necklace entirely handmade in red molten glass in gold plate metal. Necklace length edge to edge 33 cm - additional chain 6 cm Will be d...Category
2010s French Beaded Necklaces
MaterialsGold Plate
- 1.16 ct of six "naked" Diamonds in Pendant on 18 Kt Gold Necklace. Made in ItalyLocated in Rome, ITThe thin necklace in 18 Kt white gold has seven pendants of brilliant cut diamonds, their total weight is ct. 1.16. Its peculiarity is that the diamond...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Necklace with 154 Brilliant Cut Diamonds, Total Carat Weight Ct 4.41Located in Rome, ITThe necklace is made up of a row of 154 brilliant cut diamonds, their total carat weight is 4.41 ct. The back of the necklace ends with a chain with ten diamonds, which allows you t...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Choker Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Diamonds 1.48 ct. Contemporary Chocker Necklace in 18 Kt Gold. Made in ItalyLocated in Rome, ITWhite gold 18 Karat flexible chocker necklace with diamonds. The necklace has a chain for different neck size. Total Diamonds Weight: ct. 1.48 Total Weight of 18 Kt Gold: 15.5 grams ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Choker Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
- 1.25 Carat Brilliant Round Diamond Chain NecklaceBy Simon ArdemLocated in New York, NYFive round diamonds set in Platinum baskets on 18K Yellow gold chain. Round Brilliant diamonds are F-G VS2-SI1. Total carat weight = 1.25ct. Total weight 3.25 grams. Length is 16". C...Category
2010s American Chain Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
- 1 Carat Round Diamond by Yard Necklace Set in 14 Karat Yellow GoldBy Simon ArdemLocated in New York, NYRound cut diamond necklace with 5 bezel set round diamonds set in 14K Yellow gold. Round Brilliant diamonds are F-G VS2-SI1 . Total Carat weight = .80ct. Total weight 1.8 grams. Leng...Category
2010s American Chain Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Yellow Gold
- 1.00Carat Diamond Necklace Chain ChokerBy Simon ArdemLocated in New York, NYDiamond necklace choker with 10 Brilliant Round diamonds in Platinum invisible setting on 14 Karat Rose gold chain. Round Brilliant diamonds are F-G VS2-SI1 . Total Carat weight = 1....Category
2010s American Chain Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, 14k 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.