Black & Gold Vintage Judith Leiber Evening Bag
View Similar Items
Black & Gold Vintage Judith Leiber Evening Bag
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU14725005043
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.
- Chanel Black & Silver Snakeskin & Leather Small Boy BagBy ChanelLocated in New York, NYProduct Details: Black & Silver Chanel Snakeskin & Leather Small Boy Bag. The Boy Bag features a snakeskin and leather body, silver-tone hardware, dua...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Belt Bags
$4,404 Sale Price20% Off - Black Zagliani Large Python Tote BagBy ZaglianiLocated in New York, NYBlack Zagliani Large Python Tote Bag. This tote bag features a python body, tonal hardware, a single top handle, and a front flap closure. 17.5" L x ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Tote Bags
$556 Sale Price20% Off - Black Givenchy Leather Wallet-On-ChainBy GivenchyLocated in New York, NYBlack Givenchy Leather Wallet-On-Chain. This wallet-on-chain features a leather and suede body, silver-tone hardware, stud trim, a single chain-link strap, ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Wallets
$720 Sale Price20% Off - Brown Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene Hoxton PM Crossbody BagBy Louis VuittonLocated in New York, NYBrown Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene Hoxton PM Crossbody Bag. The Hoxton PM Crossbody Bag features a coated canvas body, gold-tone hardware, an exterior back zip pocket, a single flat cr...Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
$952 Sale Price20% Off - Black Yves Saint Laurent Tribute Platform Sandals Size 36.5By Yves Saint LaurentLocated in New York, NYBlack leather Tribute platform sandals by Yves Saint Laurent. Gold-tone buckle closures at ankle straps. 1.25" platform height, 5.5" heel height.Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Shoes
- Grey & Black Chanel Suede Embellished Platform OxfordsBy ChanelLocated in New York, NYGrey and black suede cap-toe platform oxfords by Chanel. Silver-tone metal adornments at heels. Lace-up tie closures at tops. 2.5" platform height, 4" heel height.Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Shoes
- Tom Ford for Gucci Mink Box Gold Removable Chain Leather Clutch Mini BagBy GucciLocated in Montgomery, TXA small but attention-grabbing plum color mink box clutch with gold leather interior and a removal gold chain is the perfect accessory to an evening outing. The mink fur adds elegance and glamour to any look from a sexy silk slip dress to edgy leather...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Tom Ford for Gucci F/W 2004 Lizard Evening Clutch Bag Jeweled DragonBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in Montgomery, TXLimited Edition and Super Rare!!! Tom Ford Creation for His Last Gucci F/W 2004 Collection Serial N - 136544 002058 Black Lizard Evening Clutch Bag, Swarovski Crystal Encrusted and...Category
Early 2000s Italian Clutches
- 1940s Bronze Steel Cut Bead Circular Box Bag w/ MirrorLocated in Greenport, NY1940s Bronze Steel Cut Bead Circular Box Bag w/ Mirror Circular shaped bucket box bag with an exterior of glass bronze beads and pleated detailing. Attached lid with circular mirro...Category
1940s Evening Bags and Minaudières
- BALENCIAGA Hourglass Wallet On Chain Black Glitter Clutch Shoulder BagBy BalenciagaLocated in Freehold, NJPre-Owned 100% Authentic BALENCIAGA Hourglass Wallet On Chain Black Glitter THIS IS NOT THE XS (its bigger) RATING: A/B...Very Good, well maintained, shows minor signs of wear MATE...Category
2010s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
- YSL Saint Laurent Astro Tassel Star Shoulder Hand BagBy Maison Goossens for Yves Saint Laurent, Saint LaurentLocated in Freehold, NJPre-Owned 100% Authentic YSL Saint Laurent Astro Tassel Shoulder Bag RATING: B...Very Good, well maintained, shows minor signs of wear MATERIAL: leather HANDLE: adjustable black leather DROP: 8'' to 15'' COLOR: black CLOSURE: open, star poofs out when opened EXTERIOR: has a few faint scuff marks ODOR: no HARDWARE: antique golden, minimal scratches INTERIOR: black leather , has some faint whitish marks MEASUREMENTS: H 12 '' x L 12'' x W .03'' INCLUDED: *YSL Box...Category
2010s Italian Novelty Bags
- White leather shoulder bag with chain and double flap Christian LouboutinBy Christian LouboutinLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRWhite leather shoulder bag with chain and double flap. The top flap is top-stitched and the underneath one is cover with pointed metal studs. The chain is detachable. Red fabric lini...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières