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.
Hermès 7 Drawers Chest Semainier in Wood for Scarves or Jewels
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Rare and Gorgeous Authentic Hermès Drawer To store scarves, but can be used for jewels as well Made of burl wood veneer Edges decorated with "H" marquetry Includes 7 drawers in w...
Hermès Wooden Box Chest to Store Scarves or Jewelry RARE
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Rare and Gorgeous Authentic Hermès Box To store scarves, but can be used for anything else Made of Wood Coloway: Beige Opens with 2 push butto...
Louis Vuitton Multicolor Pink Epi Leather Trio Card Case Wallet Keychain 863137
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Dix hills, NY
VERY GOOD CONDITION (8/10 or AB) (Outside) Minor marks, mostly at edges (Inside) Minor marks (zipper) Zipper works properly Width (inch) : 4.72 inch(approx) Width (cm) : 12 cm(...
Vintage Floral Pearl & Crystal Hair Comb 1990s
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A Vintage Pearl Crystal Hair Comb. The comb is designed with scrolling floral motifs set with luminous pearls and clear crystals, mounted on a metal comb with prongs for secure place...
Hermes Theoreme Mosaique Or Box Medium Model
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Theoreme Mosaique Or box featured in the Medium model. Natural Mahogany wood with bridle leather lid sheets stamped with gold Mosaique motif in gold. Bridle leather lid is hot foil stamped using...
Antique French gilt silver jewelry box or snuffbox
Located in VALLADOLID, ES
Antique French gilt silver jewelry box Exquisite and highly refined French gilt silver jewelry box, 19th century, Napoleon III, in gilt silver or vermeil. Rectangular profile with ro...
$717
H 2.37 in W 5.91 in D 7.88 in Dm 13 in
Vintage Loewe Camel Pen Display Organizer Box Loewe Camel Leather
By Loewe
Located in VALLADOLID, ES
Beautiful vintage display box and organizer for fountain pens and ballpoint pens from the prestigious LOEWE brand, crafted in exquisite camel-colored leather. The brand's signature adorns the top flap. It features a glass lid for optimal viewing and 12 individual slots to securely hold each pen or ballpoint pen. The entire box is made of beautiful camel-colored leather, with stitched details and a gold-tone metal keyhole. Ideal for writing instrument collectors, offering storage and display space while protecting and preserving the items. A truly beautiful gift! LOEWE Prestigious Spanish luxury fashion house, specializing in leather goods and currently part of the French holding company LVMH (Louis Vuitton). In 1905, King Alfonso XIII granted the family business the title of Supplier to the Royal Household. The Loewe Foundation was created in 1988 by Enrique Loewe Lynch, the fourth generation of the Loewe family. Its objective is to promote creativity and educational programs in the areas of poetry, dance, design, crafts, and photography. In 2002, the Foundation received the Gold Medal for Merit in Fine Arts, which was awarded to Missael Loewe in 2003 by the King and Queen of Spain. TECHNICAL DATA Piece: Pen display case...
1970S Seiko Gold Tone Mesh Cocktail Wrist Watch
By Seiko
Located in London, GB
1970S Seiko Gold Tone Mesh Cocktail Wrist watch . It has a small 1cm round face in black with gold numerals, wind-up. Measurements: Face: 1cm Strap le...
Van Cleef & Arpels 18k Gold & White Diamond Case
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Rare and beautiful 1950s -60s Van Cleef & Arpels 18K 750 Gold case. Features a woven basket pattern with White Diamonds encrusted clasp. Total weight 136 grams Interior featur...
1980s Christian Dior Vintage Silver Plated Monogram Pill Trinket Jewelry Box
By Christian Dior
Located in London, GB
A quintessential piece of 1980s luxury, this authentic Christian Dior pill box features a sleek, cylindrical silhouette in high-polished silver-plated metal. The lid is prominently a...
Vintage 1930s Hair Slide Crescent Moon Rhinestone Hair Clip Barrette Art Deco
Located in Nashville, TN
This truly magical 1930's hair clip of a silver metal moon, embellished with set in rhinestones, in shades of orange, yellow, pink, red, blue and green, is the perfect piece to embel...
$12,920
H 3.3 in W 4 in L 8.5 in
Chanel Case Clutch Box Rare Vanity Minaudière Mini Trunk Jewelry Deep Green
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel Rare Vanity Clutch Minaudière Mini Trunk Jewelry Box 1994 {VINTAGE 31 Years} Gold-tone hardware, Metallic green patent leather quilted CC v...
Hermes A Sporting Life Jumping Rope
By Hermès
Located in Nice, FR
HERMES Paris wood handle and leather jumping rope. Marked HERMES 2013 Made in France. Embossed Chic, le sport ! A sporting life. Indicative measurements : ...
$2,850
H 25 in W 15.25 in D 3.75 in
Islamic Face Veil, Egyptian Bedouin Desert Garment Nikab Framed Collectible
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Museum-Quality Antique Middle Eastern Islamic / Bedouin Niqab Face Veil, Mid-20th Century, with Silver Coins & Amulets A rare and museum-quality iddle Eastern Islamic / Bedouin woman’s face veil (niqab), Egypt, circa 1920–1940. Traditionally worn by Bedouin women during weddings and ceremonial occasions, this extraordinary piece represents the finest examples of tribal jewelry, textile art, and Middle Eastern embroidery. Design & Craftsmanship: Worked on a base of fine red silk and cotton embroidery, richly adorned with antique Ottoman silver coins. Heavily decorated lower edge with nickel silver amulets in the form of protective hands, believed to ward off the Evil Eye. Intricate tassels, chains, add movement and texture. Preserved in a custom lucite display box for protection and presentation. Cultural Significance: These veils were more than garments; they were symbols of wealth, protection, and status within Bedouin communities of Egypt, Palestine, Sinai, and Negev. Worn only during special events such as weddings and feasts, their ornate decoration distinguished them from the simpler everyday niqab. Each veil reflects the identity of the tribe, with regional variations in embroidery, color, and adornment. Provenance & Literature: Comparable examples are documented in “Traditional Palestinian Embroidery...
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H 1.26 in W 2.88 in L 7.68 in
Exceptional Hermès Vintage Ashtray Change Tray Duck Shaped in Silver Tone Metal
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Rare Authentic Hermès Change Tray In shape of a Duck Can be used as ashtray Made in France Vintage item Made of silver-tone metal (non precious) The 2 wings open and reveal a ...
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H 11.03 in W 10.83 in L 10.83 in
Exceptional Hermès Chest 7 Drawers to store Scarves or Jewelry Wood and Leather
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Rare and Gorgeous Authentic Hermès Chest To store scarves, but can be used for jewelry as well Made of wood leather handles Coloway: Light Brown, brown...
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H 11.03 in W 10.83 in L 10.83 in
Exceptional Hermès Drawer to store scarves or Jewelry In Wood RARE
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Rare and Gorgeous Authentic Hermès Drawer To store scarves, but can be used for jewelry as well Made of wooden and burr walnut veneer Coloway: Brown (Pictures have been made at da...
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H 10.83 in W 10.83 in L 10.83 in
Exceptional Hermès Drawer to store scarves or Jewelry In Wood Inlaid RARE
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Rare and Gorgeous Authentic Hermès Drawer To store scarves, but can be used for jewelry as well Please notice: Scarves on picture are for display purpose only, not included in sale...
Hermes
By Hermès
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hermes sterling silver trinket box with a lucky horseshoe detail on the top.
The inside is lined in cedar.
Epsom is a stamped or embossed calf leather (as opposed to being a grained leather like Togo or Clemence, or a smooth leather like Swift or Box). It is lightweight and stiff; thus Epsom is known for its ability to retain structure over time. Epsom is the primary leather used to make Sellier Kelly and Birkin bags which feature outside stitching on its edges which result in a crisp and sharp line. Epsom is more rain-resistant than other calf leathers.
Select Hermes goods go on sale twice a year in Paris, but Birkins – being highly coveted–are not known to be found at the sale.