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.
Judith Leiber 1980s Gold & Pave' Rhinestone Double Link Necklace
By Judith Leiber
Located in New York, NY
This striking Judith Leiber statement necklace from the 1980s features alternating high-polish gold-tone links and pavé rhinestone-encrusted links in an interlocking motif. Designed ...
Gold Plate
Craig Drake Diamond Yellow Gold Necklace
By Craig Drake
Located in Dallas, TX
Diamonds (5.75 ctw. H-VS) 18K yellow gold 204.5 Grams 16" Diamond weight is approximate
Diamond, 18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels 30cts Diamond Ceylon Sapphire Necklace in 18 Karat Gold
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Dallas, TX
Van Cleef & Arpels dazzling collar necklace bursting with brilliance of approximately 19 carats of finest white diamonds which are complemented by 11 carats of vividly-colored blue and yellow Ceylon sapphires (GIA and AGL certified as Ceylon/Sri Lanka geographic origin), all meticulously set in 18 karat yellow gold. The necklace is designed as a seamless series of thirty-two gold panels, each with a gracefully scalloped outer edge and pavé-set with brilliant-cut round diamonds. Each of the seven center-front panels is embellished by a large pear-shaped sapphire of richly saturated hue, alternating between yellow and blue colored sapphires. The panels gently curve from their inner to outer edge, giving maximum exposure to impeccably set diamonds and resulting in exceptional overall necklace brilliance. The sapphires add just the right amount of gem opulence and intrigue to this elegant design. Van Cleef expertly uses each necklace element – its scalloped silhouette, curved panels, and sparkling pavéd diamond surface – to create an appearance of a luminous and dressy lace collar. True to its luxurious French heritage...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, White Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Go...
Robert Lee Morris Vintage Gilded Mask Necklace
By Robert Lee Morris
Located in New York, NY
This one of a kind gold plated brass piece was never sold as part of the wholesale collection of Robert Lee Morris. It instead was carved and created by him in 1983 when he was experimenting with so many new ideas. The fascinating mask carving could be both an exaggerated bird scull or part of a jet propulsion engine, the design is modern and futuristic. This is part of the large group called Casual Gold, quirky, unique experimental pieces during Morris's growing years. There is a large body of jewelry created by Robert Lee Morris called Casual Gold. They are made by rearranging the many RLM vocabulary components into new and interesting configurations. All necklaces...
Gold Plate, Brass
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Burnt Onyx 20 Motif Necklace 18K White Gold
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers this Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra 20-Motif Necklace in rare Burnt Onyx is an extraordinary expression of heritage elegance and collector rarity. Highly sough...
18k Gold, White Gold
$7,628 / item
Moi Chicago Pearl and Diamond Necklace
Located in Lawrenceville, GA
Gold(14K) : 17.08g Diamonds : (VS clarity & H-I colour) : (Brilliant cut ) : 0.79ct Gemstone : Chinese Cultured Pearl You cannot go wrong with pearls and diamonds, can you? This ne...
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
Aquamarine Gold Plated Sterling Silver Necklace
Located in Oslo, 03
This single strand aquamarine necklace is 15.5 inches long with an additional 3 inch of extension chain and it has a hook clasp. The cabochon aquamarine are of varying shapes and siz...
Aquamarine, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
18 Karat Gold Minoan-Inspired Basket Necklace
By Romae Jewelry
Located in New York, NY
18 Karat Yellow Gold Minoan-Inspired Basket Necklace by ROMAE Jewelry. This stunning necklace is inspired by a Minoan gold example from the area of Kno...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier Diamond Necklace in Two Tone 18K Gold
By Cartier
Located in Dallas, TX
Exceptional Cartier diamond necklace in 18 karat yellow and white gold. The necklace is composed of alternating high-polish yellow and white gold diamond-patterned links. The wider c...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
$6,475 / item
Moi Lisa Gold and Diamond Necklace
Located in Lawrenceville, GA
Gold(18K) : 1.78g Gold(14K) : 10.22g Uncut Diamonds/Vilandi/Polki : 1.24ct Diamonds : (VS clarity & H-I colour) : (Brilliant cut ) : 0.17ct Worked in a beautiful play of old and new...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
14K Yellow Gold Textured Oval Link Necklace
Located in Bradenton, FL
Mid-20th Century 14K Yellow Gold Oval Link Necklace. Necklace features a continuous series of textured oval links, each intricately finished to catch and reflect light with a subtle ...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
18k Gold Australian Boulder Opal and South Sea Pearl Pendant
By Angelina Fine Jewelry
Located in Amsterdam, NH
An exquisite 18k gold pendant with an Australian Boulder Opal and a golden South Sea Pearl. This is a winning combination of two elegant and understated gemstones. The khaki green o...
Opal, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Chocker Rose Gold with Fan Shaped Ceramic and Diamonds
By Angeletti
Located in Roma, IT
Angeletti Chocker Rose Gold with Fan Shaped Ceramic and Diamonds. Everyday Fashionable Chocker with Glossy Ceramic and Diamond ct. 1.2 G-SI, from the Wave Collection. 18kt Gold is ar...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage Judith Leiber Gold Horse Belt Circa 1980s
By Judith Leiber
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Judith Leiber Gold Horse Belt Circa 1980s. These belts were so iconic in the 1980s and you saw them on every supermodel. They were worn on everythi...
Judith Leiber Vintage 1970s 70s Signed Etruscan Statment Necklace
By Judith Leiber
Located in Sparks, NV
Phenomenal oversized Etruscan gilded statement necklace by Judith Leiber. The necklace is made up of six hinged pieces and is finished by "fringe" at the bottom of the piece. It is s...