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Judith Leiber Crystal Animal Purse

Vintage Judith Black Karung Gold Hardware Bag
By Judith Leiber
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Judith Leiber was a renowned Hungarian-American designer known for her luxurious and artistic
Category

1990s Shoulder Bags

Animal Motif Crystal Clutch In The Style Of Judith Leiber, Great Condition.
Located in Buchanan, MI
Animal Motif Crystal Clutch In The Style Of Judith Leiber Great Condition, No Crystals missing
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20th Century Evening Bags and Minaudières

Recent Sales

Judith Leiber Leopard Crystal Minaudiere Evening Bag
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Located in Palm Beach, FL
Judith Leiber Leopard Crystal Minaudiere Evening Bag- Pristine Carried by celebrities and other
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21st Century and Contemporary Evening Bags and Minaudières

Judith Leiber Swarovski Crystal Chatelaine Minaudiere Evening Bag
By Judith Leiber
Located in London, GB
Brand New - Rare Piece - Judith Leiber Swarovski Crystal Chatelaine Minaudiere Evening Bag Mini
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21st Century and Contemporary Evening Bags and Minaudières

Judith Leiber Swarovski Crystals Sleeping Kitty Cat Minaudière Brand New UnUsed
By Judith Leiber
Located in Montreal, QC
one accordion pocket, signed Judith Leiber NEW YORK; Gold hardware; includes a mirror and small comb
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1990s American Evening Bags and Minaudières

Judith Leiber Swarovski Crystal Piglet Minaudiere
By Judith Leiber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
ADORABLE JUDITH LEIBER Swarovski crystal piglet minaudiere in excellent condition. Multi-colored
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1990s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières

Judith Leiber Swarovski Crystal Frog Pillbox
By Judith Leiber
Located in Montreal, QC
: Judith Leiber 1981. Pillbox measures approx. 2.25” x 1.75”. Perfect for collectors and animal lovers
Category

1980s American Wallets and Small Accessories

RARE Judith Leiber Swarovski Crystal Camel Minaudiere Evening Bag Clutch
By Judith Leiber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
STUNNING Judith Leiber Swarovski Crystal Camel minaudere in excellent condition. Multi color
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1990s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières

Judith Leiber Gold Frog Minaudiere
By Judith Leiber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
ADORABLE JUDITH LEIBER gold frog minaudiere in excellent condition. Gold frog formed metal
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières

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Judith Leiber for sale on 1stDibs

When it comes to handbags, no designer can compete with Judith Leiber’s ability to create magic using opulent crystals and wildly imaginative and playful shapes. The Hungarian-born designer's lauded vintage minaudières (small, decorative handbags, often without handles or a strap) were made in the form of crystal-covered swans, cupcakes, lipstick, wads of cash, teddy bears and other delightful objects.

These dazzling objets d’art have been regularly seen in the hands of First Ladies, movie stars on the red carpet and even in the prestigious collections of institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art. And like many pathbreaking inventions in the history of design, Leiber's purses and minaudières were the result of a happy accident.

In 1967, Leiber began working on her first metal handbag. The piece in question was named the Chatelaine, and the design was a graceful drop-shaped purse in gold-tinted metal. But when the samples came in, Leiber saw that the bottom of the bag looked greenish and discolored as a result of the plating process. She had the ingenious idea of applying crystal rhinestones to the base to cover up the flaws. The fabulous bag was a huge success and would become her trademark.

Born Judith Peto in Budapest, Leiber overcame many hardships before her breakthrough. At the start of World War II, she was working at the Pessl handbag company in Budapest where she quickly climbed the ranks to become a master craftswoman. When the war escalated, she and her Jewish family were forced by the Nazis to live in a cellar of a ghetto, and several of her relatives were killed in concentration camps.

“I designed handbags in my head to get through the misery,” Leiber said.

After the liberation of Budapest, she married Gerson “Gus” Leiber, an American GI, and moved to New York. In 1948, she began working for the fashion house Nettie Rosenstein. One of Leiber's first major pieces was the handbag embroidered with glittering rhinestones and pearls carried by Mamie Eisenhower at the 1953 inaugural ball. In 1963, she finally set up her own company.

Leiber’s whimsical designs embellished with Swarovski crystals and semiprecious stones defied traditional notions of luxury handbags. She also created striking clutches and bags with leather and fine textiles from around the world. In her 65-year career, she designed over 3,500 bags, which have been worn by First Ladies including Nancy Reagan and Laura Bush, pop icons like Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez and celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner (who collects Judith Leiber bags).

In 2005, the Leiber Collection Museum opened in East Hampton, New York, as a permanent space to showcase her work. The minaudières remain coveted objects that are celebrated worldwide for their eclectic beauty and glamorous charm.

The value of a good handbag cannot be overstated — find vintage Judith Leiber shoulder bags, crossbody bags, sunglasses and other fashion accessories today on 1stDibs.

Finding the Right Handbags And Purses for You

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 bagBirkin, 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.