1960s Hermes Smoker Matches Box
View Similar Items
1960s Hermes Smoker Matches Box
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Height: 1.58 in (4 cm)Width: 2.37 in (6 cm)Length: 3.15 in (8 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Please note this item is in good condition with minor wear consistent with age and use. (please enlarge images to see all details on photos, some spots on top of the box).
- Seller Location:Paris, FR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU187212480072
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.
- Porcelain Violin Pill or Jewel BoxLocated in Paris, FRLimoges Porcelain violin pill or jewel box featuring a metal frame, a bow claps, leaves painted inside and a top violin on the pink box. Hand Painted In good vintage condition. Widt...Category
1970s French Miscellaneous
- Porcelain Pill or Medicine BoxLocated in Paris, FRPorcelain pill or medicine box featuring a triangle shape, a black metal frame decorated with multicolour flowers painted on top, a tarnish tie claps opening. In good vintage condit...Category
1970s French Miscellaneous
- Porcelain Pate D Iris Medecine BoxLocated in Paris, FRPorcelain Pâte d' Iris (soft extract) polychrome pill box featuring a metal frame, a flower claps, leaves painted inside and a polychrome floral decor and text. Hand Painted In good...Category
1960s French Miscellaneous
- Porcelain Mandolin Pill BoxLocated in Paris, FRPorcelain mandolin pill box featuring a metal frame a crown clasp and a polychrome floral decor. In excellent vintage condition. Made in France. Height 1.5in. (4cm) Length 5.5in. (1...Category
1960s French Miscellaneous
- Porcelain Shell Medicine BoxLocated in Paris, FRPorcelain pill or medicine box and black metal frame decorated with multicolour motives painted on top, a tarnish tie claps opening. Inside fancy motives painted. In good vintage con...Category
1970s French Miscellaneous
- Porcelain Réglisse or Licorice Round Medecine BoxLocated in Paris, FRPorcelain Reglisse: Licorice (soft extract) polychrome round pill box featuring a metal frame, a flower claps, leaves painted inside and a polychrome floral decor and text. Hand Pai...Category
1970s French Miscellaneous
- 1920's Gilt Lace and Silk Ribbon Dresser BoxLocated in New York, NYBeautiful 1920's French gilt lace decorated dresser or vanity box with lace ruffle border and silk ribbon flower decorations. Base of wood with glass interio...Category
1920s American Boxes
- Italian Floral Enamel Make Up Case, Castelli Rome.Located in New York, NYLovely Italian Floral Enamel Make Up Case by Castelli, Rome. Designed as gilded metal envelope with enameled flowers and leaves. Flap opens to show mirror...Category
1960s Italian Boxes
- Hermes Vintage H BoxBy HermèsLocated in Nice, FRHERMES Paris vintage rare silver tone metal box featuring a large gold plated H design on top. Embossed HERMES PARIS. Silversmith RAVINET D'ENFER - RD - hallmark. Made in France. I...Category
20th Century French Boxes
$3,845 - Hermes Facettes Tie Box Lacquered Biarritz Blue TerrecottaBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers an Hermes Facettes Tie Box featured in Biarritz Bleu and Terrecotta. Beautifully showcased in shiny hand lacquered wood logo engraved. Interior is in a matte lacque...Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Boxes
- Enamel Silver PillboxLocated in New York, NYLovely enamel maiden portrait on 800 silver round pillbox. Silver has decorative hand etching throughout. 1.5" x 3/8". Italy 1950's. Very Good condition.Category
1950s Italian Boxes
- Chinese black gold Jewelry Box, yellow silkLocated in VALLADOLID, ESExquisite Chinese Jewelry Box, made for export, France. With a stamp inside of Joan of Arc, Domremy. End S XIX-PP S XX Silk lined interior. Polylobed profile, the entire body covere...Category
1890s French Boxes
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.