Judith Leiber Resting Crane Bird Crystal Gold Minaudiere Clutch Bag Purse
View Similar Items
Judith Leiber Resting Crane Bird Crystal Gold Minaudiere Clutch Bag Purse
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Height: 3.25 in (8.26 cm)Width: 3 in (7.62 cm)Length: 6 in (15.24 cm)
- Style:Modernist (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. excellent vintage.
- Seller Location:Montreal, CA
- Reference Number:Seller: CH 1stDibs: LU5151338123
Judith Leiber
When it comes to handbags, no designer can compete with Judith Leiber’s (1921–2018) ability to create magic using opulent crystals and wildly imaginative and playful shapes. The Hungarian-born designer made minaudières (small, decorative handbags, often without handles or a strap) 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.
Like many pathbreaking inventions in the history of design, Leiber’s minaudières were the result of a happy accident. In 1967, she 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 dazzling 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,” she 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 her 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 Leiber’s handbags). 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 celebrated worldwide for their eclectic beauty and glamorous charm.
The value of a good handbag cannot be overstated — find a collection of vintage Judith Leiber handbags and other fashion accessories today on 1stDibs.
- Judith Leiber Resting Crane Bird Diamante Gold Trinket Pill BoxBy Judith LeiberLocated in Montreal, QCBeautiful Hard to Find Gold tone Judith Leiber Trinket Box fashioned after a Japanese 'Koro' or incense holder in the form of a Resting Crane; highlighted with sparkling CZ crystals ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Vintage Set 3 Mid Century Modern Red and Black Enamel Sterling Silver LadybugsLocated in Montreal, QCSimply Delightful! Vintage Set of 3 Mid Century Modern Red and Black Enamel Sterling Silver Ladybugs. Beautifully Hand crafted in solid Sterling Silver, enameled in Red and Black. Ra...Category
Late 20th Century Decorative Objects
- Stunning Oscar de la Renta Embroidered Long Floral Pleated Silk SkirtBy Oscar De La RentaLocated in Montreal, QCLuxurious All Silk Oscar de la Renta Green Embroidered Floral Pleated Long Silk...Beautifully pleated front and back...5” elasticized waist with side zipper closure and bar hook at ...Category
Late 20th Century American Pleated Skirts
- Signed Designer Bohlin Diamond and Ruby Custom Buckle and Alligator BeltBy Edward H. BohlinLocated in Montreal, QCFabulous Vintage Edward H. Bohlin Sterling Silver and 18K Yellow Gold Buckle and Alligator Belt. The Buckle is Hand set with 4.50tcw round Brilliant Diamonds and 0.70tcw rubies! The Buckle measures approx. 2.34" high x 2.54” wide. Belt measures approx. 51” Long. Circa 1980. More Amazing in person! For that Very Special Someone to wear with pride…Including You! Since 1920, The Edward H. Bohlin Company of Hollywood, Ca., has offered made-to-order custom accessories, crafted from the highest-quality materials. Inspired by Hollywood and the Old West. Have you ever watched an old western and noticed the beautiful custom belt buckles. There is a good chance those buckles were crafted by The Bohlin Company. The Bohlin Brand is as Iconic as the Famed Western Stars that wore it. The late actor Richard Farnsworth sported a recognizable gold steer-head Bohlin buckle...Category
Late 20th Century American Belts
- Vintage Iconic Louis Vuitton Designer Monogram Ellipse HandbagBy Louis VuittonLocated in Montreal, QCSimply Beautiful! Vintage Iconic Louis Vuitton Designer 1998 MM Monogram Ellipse. Vintage crafted Traditional Louis Vuitton Monogram Toile Canvas Bowl...Category
Late 20th Century French Top Handle Bags
- Golden Yellow Wool Hand Woven Silk Fringe Shawl Wrap Estate FindLocated in Montreal, QCBeautiful woven Wool Fringe Shawl; Spectacular Hand knotted handmade silk fringe adorns the entire length of the shawl; approx. size of shawl: 55” x 18.75” fringe measures approx. 2...Category
1980s Scarves
- Hermès Jige Élan 29 cm clutch in Golden brown Epsom leatherBy HermèsLocated in Bilbao, ESHermès Jige Leather Clutch Hermès Jige Élan 29 cm clutch in Golden brown Epsom leather Details Fit: Women Category: Bags Subcategory: Clutch bags Designer: Hermes Model: Jige Material: Leather Colour: Brown Measures Width : 28cm Height : 19cm THE HERMÈS POCHETTES, AN ESSENTIAL PARTY ACCESSORY An Hermès pochette is a complement of distinction. The Parisian brand has in its pochettes one of its most recognizable and classic products. Throughout many decades, these handbags have been an icon of style and luxury, in fact, many women have worn Hermès pochettes in some of the most important events of their lives. A pochette or pouch is a small-sized handbag, prepared to contain objects of daily use. Its masculine equivalent is the wallet, however, the shape of the pochette is more elongated than its masculine version. A luxury clutch is a very useful accessory to carry essential objects, it is also a very sophisticated accessory, especially if it is part of the Hermès catalog...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Clutches
- Judith Leiber Red Swarovski Crystal Minaudiere Evening Bag Clutch Holiday RunwayBy Judith LeiberLocated in Wallkill, NYStunning Clear and Red Swarovski Crystal on this magnificent Judith Leiber Clutch. A must-have for the upcoming holiday season, as well as any black tie event. Runway ready! Gold lea...Category
1990s Unknown Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Evans Gilt Metal Guilloche Enamel Evening Bag Compact Case c 1950sBy Evans Case CompanyLocated in University City, MOEvans Opulent gilt metal guilloche enamel evening bag - compact case c 1950s The elegant gold metal case has an etched sun burst finish. The front exterior panel is adorned with a guilloche floral enamel plaque The evening bag - case is carried with a mesh handle strap that may slide over the wrist The interior is designed with two separate compartments. One of the compartments is designed with a vanity mirror, rouge powder compartment, and a lipstick holder The other interior compartment is designed as a cigarette compartment, This could be adapted into a compartment to place credit cards and paper currency...Category
1950s American Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Judith Leiber Beige Python with Tiger's Eye and Garnet Stones Evening BagBy Judith LeiberLocated in New York, NYJudith Leiber's wonderfully detailed beige python evening clutch has the optional use of a evening shoulder bag with their removable straps of python and gold hardware. Th...Category
1990s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Oscar de la Renta Multicolored Silk Patchwork Evening Bag with Silver HardwareBy Oscar De La RentaLocated in West Palm Beach, FLOscar de la Renta Multi-Colored Patterned Silk Patchwork Evening Bag - SHW. This unique evening bag is multi-colored and has a silver decoration on the front. The strap is removable....Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Clutches
- Rhinestone Jewel Clasp Pink Metallic Brocade Evening Clutch Handbag 1970sLocated in West Palm Beach, FLRhinestone jewel clasp pink metallic brocade evening clutch handbag from the 1970s. This beautiful bag is perfect for anyone who likes something exotic and...Category
1970s Unknown Clutches