Judith Leiber Pavé Minaudiere
View Similar Items
Judith Leiber Pavé Minaudiere
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Height: 3.5 in (8.89 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Alford, MA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2091534843
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.
- Ingber 1960s Evening Box BagLocated in Alford, MA1960s Ingber box-shaped bag in black featuring a rope top handle and a jeweled clasp. Open to reveal a red interior with side compartment. Plenty of room for phone and essentials.Category
1960s American Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Black Ribbed Evening BagLocated in Alford, MAAn unusual evening bag of vertically ribbed matte black satin with the natural ruffled edge on one side. Single handle, gold clasp. Black satin interior wi...Category
1970s Unknown Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Vintage Black Beaded ClutchLocated in Alford, MA1950s-'60s black microbeaded clutch with fishscale motif of contrasting smooth and faceted beads throughout. The gold metal frame is beaded as well, here with a chain design on top of solid beads, which, both here and in the body lend three-dimensionality to the clutch. Interior is black satin with open side compartments. Unlabeled, but most of these mid-century beaded bags...Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Jean Louis Scherrer Suede Bag with Deco MotifsBy Jean-Louis ScherrerLocated in Alford, MAJean Louis Scherrer shoulder bag in black suede bordered in rust suede, the front border ornamented with Art Deco-style medallions, each centering alternating black and carnelian sto...Category
Late 20th Century French Shoulder Bags
- Rosenfeld Embossed Gold Metal Evening BagBy Rosenfeld, Harry RosenfeldLocated in Alford, MARosenfeld c.1960s evening bag with chain of gold metal metal molded in a quilted and wave design. A gold metal triangular clasp, echoed on the rever...Category
1960s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
- MM Silver Convertible ClutchBy Morris MoskowitzLocated in Alford, MAMorris Moskowitz clutch in silver leather that has been quilted in a star design. The foldover clutch has a divided interior, one side with zippered compartment. A thin silver chain ...Category
Late 20th Century American Clutches
- Vintage Black Satin Evening Bag by Rene ManciniBy Rene ManciniLocated in London, GBA chic vintage evening bag by Rene Mancini. In black satin with a flap over front with popper fastening, and an internal pouch pocket. The bag has attractive gold detail on the fro...Category
1960s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Chanel Eggs Bag Jewelry BoxBy ChanelLocated in Paris, FRCollector. Chanel jewelry box eggs bag in black plexiglass Attention, this egg-box bag is straight out of the 2014-2015 Chanel ready-to-wear fashion show so th...Category
2010s French Evening Bags and Minaudières
$13,943 - Chanel Spring 2007 Limited Edition Charm Rare Black Leather ClutchBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLAmazing clutch from Chanel 2007 Runway. Has been seen on many celebs including Penelope Cruz and Victoria Beckham. Chanel has come out with several similar pieces this past year how...Category
Early 2000s Italian Clutches
- Chanel 1988 Black Velvet Vintage Kelly Top Handle Minaudière Clutch BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Black Velvet Vintage 80's Micro Mini Top Handle Minaudière Clutch Bag 1988 Spring Summer Haute Couture Gold Hardware Nylon Trim Quilted velvet Kelly style chain top handle...Category
1990s French Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Chanel Vintage Black Chevron Quilted Calfskin Leather Small Chain Evening ToteBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Calfskin Quilted Small Chain Evening Black Tote This unique evening bag is crafted of soft diamond and chevron quilted calfskin leather in black. The bag, designed in chevron quilt, features a leather strap with a leather threaded matte gold chain...Category
Early 2000s Italian Tote Bags
- Chanel Classic Vintage Caviar CC Black Diamond Quilted Timeless Clutch BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Classic Vintage Caviar CC Black Diamond Quilted Timeless Clutch This stylish clutch is beautifully crafted of black diamond quilted cavi...Category
1990s Italian Clutches