Mid Century Italian Straw and Raffia Figural Bag
Located in New York, NY
Super Unusual Italian Straw and Raffia Figural Bag from the 1950's. Designed in a triangular form, origami style with 2 compartments. Tiny chains suspended in the center hold the bam...
Vintage Judith Leiber Stick Figure Floral Print Minaudiere
By Judith Leiber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Judith Leiber Floral Print Minaudiere in very good condition. Clear swarovski crystals with red, pink, purple and orange stick figure flowers along both front and back sides....
Jean Bernard Figural Black Suede Bag, Paris 1950's
Located in New York, NY
Charming Jean Bernard Figural black suede bag from Paris, 1950's. Black fluted half moon shape with tubular suede loop handle. Faille lining with various compartments. 8.5" x 4.5" x ...
Charming 1960's Woven Figural Fish Bag
Located in New York, NY
Charming collectible 1960's Woven Figural Fish Bag hand made in Hong Kong of white and gold plasticized nylon filament. Flap closure with turn lock. Really cool with cotton muslin li...
Victorian Microbead Figural Swan Bag
Located in New York, NY
Incredible micro seed bead bag with figural panels of swans in floral beaded vignettes. The background is a pale pearly microbead. Extremely fine glass and metal beads are used to cr...
Whiting & Davis Figural Face Flower Frame Mesh Chainmail Gold Purse Evening Bag
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Rare vintage Whiting & Davis Co. gold mesh chainmail purse with frame that features a centralized face among leaves and flowers. It has a gold chain that is approximately 15" from t...
Anne-Marie Black Suede Handbag Shaped Like a Folding Fan
By Anne-Marie
Located in Chicago, IL
This sweet figural handbag is shaped like a folding hand fan.
Unavailable
H 10.5 in W 3.75 in D 4.25 in
Jeanne Bernard of Paris Black Suede Coffee Grinder Shaped Handbag
Located in Chicago, IL
This charming figural handbag is shaped like an old fashioned coffee grinder.
Unavailable
1940's Volupte Figural Hand Compact
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage compact from Volupte dates to the 1940's and is made in gold-toned metal with a white enamel lacy glove. Compact opens to reveal a mirror and a powder puff with face powder....
1960s Suede Handbag with Figural Clasp
Located in Alford, MA
Unique and wonderful handbag in black suede featuring an oblong gold metal figural clasp on its flap closure.
Avant-Garde Figural Wicker Frog Design Handbag c 1960s
Located in University City, MO
Whimsical figural wicker frog design handbag c 1960s The quirky handmade artisan handbag is designed in the shape of an endearing frog Adorned with a pair of green glass marble ey...
Figural "Book" Bag
Located in New York, NY
Charming figural "book" bag in black satin with embroidered crest and detailing. Flap opens in front with magnetic closure and bag hangs from twisted cord strap. 1980s USA. 7.5" x 7...
Amusing French Straw Figural Bag 1950's.
Located in New York, NY
Charming French straw beach bag from the 1950's. Embroidered straw with plastic gusset and trim.
A collector's piece, not for use.
Unique Figural Metal Woman Evening Bag c 1980
Located in University City, MO
Unique figural metal woman evening bag c 1980s The art deco inspired metal evening bag is designed with a gilt metal woman walking her canine companion.
Charming Figural Beaded Change Purse, Belgium
Located in New York, NY
Charming Figural Beaded Change Purse with crewel work embroidery of a couple having a "moment" (although she does not seem to be terribly excited). Lovely hand work and detailing wit...
Rare Volupte 'Golden Gesture' Figural Compact. 1940's.
Located in University City, MO
This is one of the most iconic and sought after of all vintage figural compacts. The Volupte "Golden Gesture" compact depicts two slender, manicured hands clasped as...
Rare Figural Chair Compact by Robert Demario. Early 1950's
Located in University City, MO
This is one of the most sought after of all vintage vanity items. This exquisite Robert Demario powder compact chair is encrusted with hand set faux pearls and pastes. The lid opens...
DA IEL ARSHAM APPortfolio Disney Hllow Mickey grey figure limited 500
Located in Hong Kong, NT
DA IEL ARSHAM APPortfolio Disney Hllow Mickey grey figure limited 500 Reference: JOMK/A00027 Brand: Daniel Arsham Designer: Disney Collection: 2020 Material: Resin Color: Grey ...
DA IEL ARSHAM APPortfolio Disney Hllow Mickey grey figure limited 500
Located in Hong Kong, NT
DA IEL ARSHAM APPortfolio Disney Hllow Mickey grey figure limited 500 Reference: JOMK/A00027 Brand: Daniel Arsham Designer: Disney Collection: 2020 Material: Resin Color: Grey ...
TIMMY WOODS Beverly Hills Rare Artisan Equine Handbag
Located in University City, MO
Timmy Woods Beverly Hills Rare artisan equine handbag c 2000 The imaginative artisan horse head handbag is designed with wood from fallen acacia tress in the Philippines Each...
TIMMY WOODS Beverly Hills Whimsical Wood Labrador Handbag
By Timmy Woods
Located in University City, MO
TIMMY WOODS Beverly Hills Whimsical wood Labrador handbag designed in an enamel tuxedo. The unique figural handbag is a well dressed Labrador named Jeeves.
Unique Needlepoint Figural Harpist Handbag c 1970
Located in University City, MO
Unique needlepoint figural harpist vintage handbag c 1970 The vintage one of a kind hand stitched handbag is illustrated with a musical harpist player on the front.
Whimsical Woven Vinyl Wicker Figural Alligator Handbag 21st c
Located in University City, MO
Whimsical woven vinyl wicker style alligator handbag 21st c The quirky handbag is designed in the shape of a charming alligator figure Constructed with vinyl woven bands that emul...
Extremely Rare Figural Wicker Artisan Horse Design Handbag c 1970
Located in University City, MO
Extremely rare figural wicker artisan horse design handbag c 1970 The extraordinary handbag is designed in the shape of a majestic horse figure; embellished with fiery red & green m...
1940's Figural Suede Bag
By Rosenfeld
Located in New York, NY
Unusual black suede doeskin wrist bag by Rosenfeld NY. Charming and novel shape with a four curled points on the base. Handle 8", Bag 6" tall by 8" wide x 4.5" depth.
1930s Figural Silk Brocade Clutch with Rhinestone Clasp and Gold Piping
Located in Gresham, OR
A beautiful 1930s figural silk brocade clutch purse with gold piping and rhinestone clasp. Beige silk satin inside lining is in very good condition with on or two small spots.
Asian Figure Motif Brocade Clutch with Painted Figures Tile Top 1930s
Located in Water Mill, NY
A stunning silk brocade clutch with intricately painted tiles of people along the top. The patterned brocade has Asian figures, birds and flowers in beige, olive, orange and brown. ...
Large 1950's Figural Straw Novelty Beach Bag
Located in Atlanta, GA
Adorable! You will have the best beach companions with this 1950's straw beach bag complete with Mr. & Mrs. Nassau along for the ride. The large cylinder shaped bag opens at the to...
Opulent Gilt Metal Figural Woman Evening Bag c 1970
Located in University City, MO
Opulent gilt metal figural woman evening bag c 1970 The elegant minaudiere is adorned with a repousse relief of a female nude lounging in a lush garden paradise The exterior g...
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H 4.25 in L 3.75 in
Judith Leiber Exquisite Crystal Encrusted Figural Woman Minaudière circa 1980s
By Judith Leiber
Located in University City, MO
Judith Leiber Exquisite crystal encrusted figural woman minaudiere' The opulent gilt metal figural evening bag is designed with an elegant woman's head. Encrusted with contiguous row...
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H 5.5 in W 7.5 in
Whiting and Davis Silver Mesh Evening Bag Minaudière w Figural Frame, late 1940s
By Whiting & Davis
Located in Tucson, AZ
An evening bag that bridges decades, this liquid silver mesh purse looks equally appropriate with a mid-century sheath as it does with a slithery disco halter dress. In scarce and sp...
Anne-Marie Carousel Handbag
By Anne-Marie
Located in Chicago, IL
She is best known for the wonderfully detailed, surrealist, figural handbags that she designed and sold in the post-WWII era.
1940's Volupte Figural Hand Compact
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage compact from Volupte dates to the 1940's and is made in gold-toned metal with a silver-toned rhinestone ring. Compact opens to reveal a mirror and a powder puff with face pow...
Rodo Black Satin Figural Cat Evening Bag
Located in New York, NY
Amusing black satin evening bag in the shape of a cat! The body of the bag is black sating. The clasp which is the outline of the kittys head is blackened metal encrusted in rhinesto...
An integral part of fashion, handbags and purses have been indispensable accessories ever since we began to carry around personal items. Level of craftsmanship, style and shape matters — from coin purses in ancient Greece to early 20th-century opera bags and onward, handbags have evolved considerably over the years to meet our needs and desires, whether or not you happen to be prioritizing functionality over a flashy exterior.
Once, a single “It” handbag ruled each fashion season. No more. Today, lovers of vintage handbags are savvier and have a wider range of shopping options. Nevertheless, classics created by the likes of Louis Vuitton, Dior and Balenciaga still rule.
“It is not a fashion bag — it is a statement bag,” says Mightychic's Debra Kent of Hermès's widely beloved accessories. “When you carry an iconic Hermès bag — Birkin, Kelly, Constance — no one knows how long you have been into this culture or if you are a newbie. Your status is validated immediately.”
First released in 1997, Fendi's Baguette rose to fame along with Carrie Bradshaw, the Sex and the City character portrayed by Sarah Jessica Parker. Recently, the design has seen such a resurgence in popularity that Fendi has reissued it.
They are part of design history, so owning a handbag has meaning. As New York–based fashion historian Sarah C. Byrd says, “You have made the choice to invest in this piece because you understand the value of it in the past and in the future to come.”
From a 1980s Chanel black leather quilted mini buckle bag to the rare Hermès Birkin 30cm Himalayan with diamond hardware to a range of 19th-century bags, find a rich variety of vintage and designer handbags and purses spanning numerous brands on 1stDibs — seasonal “It” designation no longer needed.
What these styles lack in name recognition they more than make up for in cachet.
Before the Birkin there was the Haut à Courroies, which has become the chic carryall of choice for the league's most stylish athletes.
Accented with a sculptural golden handle and a pair of swishy tassels, the design never went into production.
These celebrities prove that the famous design works with both sleek dresses and streetwear.
Fashion designers are revisiting and reimagining the era's It bags.
The sale sets a new record for the highly coveted handbag.
Does wicker get more high-end than this?
Several of the pieces sold for well above their estimates.