2011 Hermes Black Box Leather Constance 24 Bag
About the Item
- Designer:
- Design:Constance BagConstance Collection
- Dimensions:Length: 9.45 in (24 cm)
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Jakarta, ID
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2912222486842
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: Jakarta, Indonesia
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Chanel Navy Caviar Quilted Large Vanity BagBy ChanelLocated in Jakarta, Daerah Khusus Ibukota JakartaChanel vanity navy caviar in large size. Overall still in good used condition. Minor rubbing on the corners and faint dirt marks and scuffing on the leather lining. Series #25. Comes...Category
2010s Shoulder Bags
- Vintage Chanel Pastel Yellow Caviar Medium Double Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in Jakarta, Daerah Khusus Ibukota JakartaBeatiful classic chanel medium flap in pastel yellow color (almost lighter beige-like) with silver hardware. Series #11 from mid 2000s. Overall still in very good condition. Comes wi...Category
Early 2000s Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Pastel Tricolor 2.55 Canvas Quilted 227 Reissue Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in Jakarta, Daerah Khusus Ibukota JakartaChanel canvas tricolor reissue flap bag in jumbo size. Item is in fair condition, visible mark throughout the canvas surface as seen on pictures. Lining is in clean condition. Item s...Category
Early 2000s Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel White Caviar Jumbo Double Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in Jakarta, Daerah Khusus Ibukota JakartaItem is overall still in excellent condition with almost no signs of wear. Very classy white. Series #14. Comes with its holo sticker, dust bag and card.Category
2010s Shoulder Bags
- Vintage Chanel Eggplant Plum Dark Purple Caviar Quilted Medium Double Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in Jakarta, Daerah Khusus Ibukota JakartaClassic medium chanel in rare dark purple color with silver hardware. Vintage series 6. Overall in very well structured condition. Minor scuffing on the leather lining and corners. C...Category
Early 2000s Shoulder Bags
- Rare Chanel Black Hanger Reissue Medium Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in Jakarta, Daerah Khusus Ibukota JakartaVery rare reissue hanger bag from 2017. Item is overall still in very good condition. Minor scuffing on the leather and on the lining. Comes with its holo, card and dust bag.Category
2010s Shoulder Bags
- Louis Vuitton Vanilla Epi Nocturne GM Bag, Compact Wallet and Make Up Bag SetBy Louis VuittonLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLThe ultimate in handbag making luxury craftsmanship. The Iconic House of Louis Vuitton always provides us with timeless and classic pieces. This beautiful bag takes timeless creation...Category
2010s French Shoulder Bags
- Gucci Guccissima Gray Leather Indy Top Handle Crossbody Strap BagBy GucciLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLThe ultimate in handbag making luxury craftsmanship. The Iconic House of Gucci always provides us with timeless and classic pieces. The edgy bag takes timeless creation to a new level of sophistication and charm. Made from the finest materials that you would expect from the Gucci House. A classic Guccissima bag...Category
2010s Italian Shoulder Bags
- Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama Capucine MM BagBy Louis VuittonLocated in London, GBIntroducing the mesmerising fusion of luxury and avant-garde artistry - the Louis Vuitton Capucine MM bag, a stunning collaboration with...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Shoulder Bags
- Hermès Special Order Kelly Sellier 35cm Noir Veau Epsom GHWBy HermèsLocated in London, GBA gorgeous Hermès Kelly 35cm bag. The exterior of this Special Order Kelly features a sellier style in noir black veau epsom leather. The noir leather is complemented with gold hardw...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Shoulder Bags
- Goyard Black Bellechasse Biaude PM BagBy GoyardLocated in London, GBA lovely Bellechasse Biaude PM handbag by Goyard from the Bellechasse Biaude collection. The exterior is crafted in black Decize Taurillon leather & Cervon calfskin leather with pall...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
- Hermès Herbag Zip Retourne 31 Noir Toile Miltaire/Vache Hunter GHWBy HermèsLocated in London, GBA chic Hermes Herbag Zip 31 handbag. The exterior of this Herbag features a top handle with a crossbody strap in Noir Vache Hunter leather on the top section whereas the body of the ...Category
2010s Swiss Shoulder Bags
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.