Vintage Gucci Sterling Silver 18K Gold Tassel Minaudiere Clutch
View Similar Items
Vintage Gucci Sterling Silver 18K Gold Tassel Minaudiere Clutch
About the Item
Gucci
Long before trend-bucking creative director Alessandro Michele brought his hallucinatory “Utopian Fantasy” campaign to Gucci, it was a modest Italian leather shop. Today, it’s an internationally renowned luxury house with an iconic logo, and vintage Gucci clothing, handbags and shoes are among high fashion's most covetable goods.
Guccio Gucci (1881–1953) admired the stylish suitcases he saw wealthy guests arrive with at the Savoy Hotel in London, where he worked as a bellhop. So, in 1921, after a stint at Franzi, a luggage company in his hometown of Florence, he opened a leather goods shop of his own.
At first, Gucci’s Florence business specialized in equestrian accessories. But as its reputation flourished, particularly among the English aristocracy, so too did its footprint. In 1938, he brought three of his sons — Aldo, Vasco and Rodolfo — into the business and expanded it to Rome and later Milan. In the mid-1930s, a League of Nations embargo against Italy pushed Gucci to experiment with alternatives to imported leather. Its woven hemp fabric from Naples, adorned with the brand’s signature diamond print, was a hit, especially among A-list celebrities. The material was first used on suitcases before finding enduring popularity on handbags. (No list of revered designer purses would be complete without Gucci.)
In the 1950s, Elizabeth Taylor carried one of Gucci’s bamboo-handled tote bags, another adaptation to material rationing. After Jackie Kennedy was seen sporting a slouchy Gucci tote in 1961, it was renamed for the First Lady. Then Grace Kelly, on a visit to the boutique in Milan, inspired Rodolfo Gucci to work with Italian illustrator and Gucci textile designer Vittorio Accornero on the Flora print in 1966. Taking cues from Sandro Botticelli’s Primavera, with its pattern of flora and insects, it was painted entirely by hand and featured no fewer than 37 colors.
In 1953, just 15 days after opening his first store on New York’s 5th Avenue, Guccio passed away at 72. The early 1970s saw store openings in Tokyo and Hong Kong, but by the late 1980s, Gucci was floundering. Rodolfo Gucci took charge in 1982, but family drama and lawsuits ensued. In 1993, Rodolfo’s son, Maurizio, transferred his shares in the company to Investcorp, ending the family’s involvement in Gucci. Dawn Mello, then-president of Bergdorf Goodman, joined as creative director in 1989. But it was Tom Ford, who took over as creative director in 1994, who ultimately revived the brand.
Ford’s racy ads, shot by photographers such as Mario Testino, stirred controversy. And his potent vision of sexed-up femininity — with “jewel-toned satin shirts unbuttoned to there,” as Vogue described his breakthrough 1995 runway show — was wildly successful. The new millennium brought new ownership — Pinault Printemps Redoute in 2004 — and a more toned-down vision from Frida Giannini, who became sole creative director in 2006. Alessandro Michele was named creative director in 2015, and the storied brand took a giant leap forward.
Find vintage Gucci clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
- Vintage Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Leather Tassel Clutch BagBy Bottega VenetaLocated in Boca Raton, FLFirst introduced in the 1960s, the intrecciato (technique of weaving the leather) weave style became the iconic hallmark of Bottega Veneta leather goods—and eventually so much more. Starting out as a ready-to-wear brand, the intrecciato pattern was a happy accident that allowed for the house to introduce sturdy leather accessories without upgrading to expensive equipment. The design is rather simple but is instantly recognizable as the essence of Bottega Veneta. Done in a buttery chestnut colored leather the exterior of this clutch dons the iconic Bottega weave...Category
1980s Italian Clutches
- Vintage Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Leather Tassel Clutch BagBy Bottega VenetaLocated in Boca Raton, FLFirst introduced in the 1960s, the intrecciato (technique of weaving the leather) weave style became the iconic hallmark of Bottega Veneta leather goods—and eventually so much more. Starting out as a ready-to-wear brand, the intrecciato pattern was a happy accident that allowed for the house to introduce sturdy leather accessories without upgrading to expensive equipment. The design is rather simple but is instantly recognizable as the essence of Bottega Veneta. Done in a buttery chestnut colored leather the exterior of this clutch dons the iconic Bottega weave...Category
1980s Italian Clutches
- Judith Leiber Limited Edition Woven Snakeskin Clutch BagBy Judith LeiberLocated in Boca Raton, FLWhile Judith Leiber is often highlighted for her over-the-top, jewel encrusted, novelty bags, her earlier work represents a different creative sensibility. Through careful selection ...Category
1980s Italian Clutches
- Hermes Black Leather Multicolored Lizard Clutch Rare, 1980sBy HermèsLocated in Boca Raton, FLFor almost a century now, Hermès has quietly represented luxury and status. From their scarves to their leather goods, Hermès is known for their experimental color and pattern options but tends to keep them rather tame in the interest of tradition. In the late 80s through the 90s, Hermès introduced some of their most unconventional bags ever. This circa 1988 bag...Category
1990s French Clutches
- Isabel Canovas Black & Gold Silk Leather Green Bakelite Leaf Clutch, 1980sBy Isabel CanovasLocated in Boca Raton, FLFrench designer Isabel Canovas is a hidden gem of the fashion scene. Having worked for some of the most eligible fashion brands including Dior, Hermès, and Louis Vuitton, Canovas eve...Category
1980s Unknown Clutches
- Vintage Bottega Veneta Red Karung Lucite Frame Clutch BagBy Bottega VenetaLocated in Boca Raton, FLBottega Veneta is at the pinnacle of fine leather goods and luxury accessories. Through the masterful usage of exotic leathers with clean, artisanal techniques, Bottega Veneta offers...Category
1990s Italian Clutches
- Judith Leiber Pink Alligator Box Clutch With Crystal ClosureBy Judith LeiberLocated in Philadelphia, PAFABULOUS JUDITH LEIBER pink alligator box clutch in excellent condition. Pink alligator exterior trimmed with silver hardware and a stunning clear swar...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Clutches
- Bottega Veneta Brown Lizard Leather ClutchBy Bottega VenetaLocated in Philadelphia, PAGorgeous Bottega Veneta brown lizard leather clutch in excellent condition. Brown lizard leather exterior with front twist closure. Pleated expandable interior design features 2 sepa...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Clutches
- Judith Leiber Vintage Saks Tan Lizard ClutchBy Judith LeiberLocated in Philadelphia, PAJudith Leiber Vintage Saks Tan Lizard Clutch in very good condition. Tan pleated lizard leather exterior trimmed with engraved gold hardware along top edge...Category
1980s Clutches
- Judith Leiber Tan Alligator ClutchBy Judith LeiberLocated in Philadelphia, PAJudith Leiber Tan Alligator Clutch in good condition. Tan alligator exterior trimmed with gold hardware along top edge. Top center lift latch closure opens via 4 hinges to a tan lea...Category
1980s Clutches
- Judith Leiber Red Embossed Alligator ClutchBy Judith LeiberLocated in Philadelphia, PAJudith Leiber Red Embossed Alligator Clutch in very good vintage condition. Red embossed suede exterior with exotic alligator print trimmed with gold...Category
1980s Clutches
- Judith Leiber Cream Matte Lizard Clutch with Enamel Crystal TopBy Judith LeiberLocated in Philadelphia, PAJudith Leiber Cream Matte Lizard Clutch with Enamel Crystal Top in good condition. Cream lizard leather in unique matte style trimmed with silver hardware and black and cream enamel...Category
1980s Clutches
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Explore a Century of Gucci Fashion in London
The iconic Italian label’s traveling exhibition has just arrived in London.
The Stories behind the Most Famous Luxury Fashion Logos
From Chanel to YSL, the logos of some legacy fashion houses spark instant brand recognition and have come to symbolize a kind of luxury that feels at once aspirational and attainable.