Hermes fingerless black leather gloves
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:
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: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Chanel Limited Edition Swimming PeddlersBy ChanelLocated in London, GBCrafted in France from a blend of charcoal black synthetic rubber and Thermoplastic Polyurethane, this pair of pre-owned, limited edition swimming peddlers by Chanel features its ico...Category
2010s Gloves
- Chanel Metallic Bronze Leather GlovesBy ChanelLocated in London, GBCrafted from soft leather, these 2018 pre-owned metallic Chanel gloves are all you need to keep your hands warm throughout winter. These gloves feature...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Gloves
- Chanel Metallic Silver Lambskin Fingerless GlovesBy ChanelLocated in London, GBA favourite of Karl Lagerfeld, fingerless gloves provide an edgy alternative to the conventional gloves and will make any outfit stand out. Crafted from silver-toned lambskin and sty...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Gloves
- Chanel Black Cowboy BootsBy ChanelLocated in London, GBExperience true luxury with these authentic Chanel leather cowboy boots. Handcrafted with a square toe, these boots feature the classic 'Chanel' logo for a distinguished, timeless look. Step out in style and make a statement with these high-end boots. -Black leather Chanel cowboy boots...Category
2010s Shoes
- Chanel Haute Couture Black Woven CC Detail BeltBy ChanelLocated in London, GBTake your accessories repertoire to whimsical heights with this vintage Chanel belt. It was designed in 1988 as part of the Haute Couture collection, five years after Karl Lagerfeld ...Category
20th Century French Belts
- Chanel 1999 Chain-link SunglassesBy ChanelLocated in London, GBThese pre-owned 90s Chanel glasses have been seen on everyone from Rihanna to Lady Gaga. Trimmed with the iconic classic flap gold-toned chain-link strap, the grey-tinted lenses are ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Sunglasses
- Vintage Grey Hermes Suede Gloves Size US XSBy HermèsLocated in New York, NYVintage grey suede gloves by Hermes. 11" height, 4.5" length.Category
Late 20th Century European Gloves
- Gucci for Billie Eilish limited edition black leather green Swarovski glovesBy GucciLocated in Capri, ITGucci for Billie Eilish limited edition black leather green Swarovski gloves Totally made in Italy in size 7/Category
21st Century and Contemporary Gloves
- 1990s Dolce & Gabbana Brown Suede Stud Driving GlovesBy D&G by DOLCE & GABBANALocated in London, GB1990s Dolce & Gabbana Brown Suede Driving style Gloves, Brass stud details Size: small Condition 1990s, vintage, very good, slight sign of wearCategory
1990s Italian Gloves
- Dolce&Gabbana Leather Men Gloves Size 8.5, S335By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Kaunas, LTItem for sale is 100% genuine Dolce&Gabbana Leather Men Gloves, S335 Color: Brown (An actual color may a bit vary due to individual computer screen interpretation) Material: Genuine ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Gloves
- Chanel Buttery Soft Chocolate Brown Lamb Leather 8 Button Elbow Length Gloves 7By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for ChanelLocated in West Palm Beach, FLChanel buttery soft chocolate brown lambskin leather 8 button elbow length gloves marked size 7. These beautiful gloves are lined in off white silk, they look barely worn. The outsid...Category
1990s French Gloves
- Christian Dior Steel Grey Suede Perforated Gauntlet Gloves 7By Christian DiorLocated in West Palm Beach, FLChristian Dior steel grey suede Veau Velours (soft finished calfskin) perforated gauntlet gloves with wrist tab snap that adds more or less room, from the 1980s, inside gusset. These...Category
1990s French Gloves
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.