- Want more images or videos?Request additional images or videos from the seller
Judith Leiber Swarovski Crystal Poodle Box Minaudiere Evening Bag Wristlet

About the Item
- Designer:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Philadelphia, PA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU104213957992
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.
Shipping & Returns
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: philadelphia , PA
- Return Policy
This item cannot be returned.
- Judith Leiber Black Alligator Mini Evening BagBy Judith LeiberLocated in Philadelphia, PAJudith Leiber Black Alligator Mini Evening Bag in excellent condition. Black alligator exterior trimmed with a crystal silver top button closure. Black silk interior with one slit si...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Judith Leiber Black Silk Swarovski Crystal Top Evening Bag ClutchBy Judith LeiberLocated in Philadelphia, PAJudith Leiber Black Silk Swarovski Crystal Top Evening Bag Clutch in excellent condition. Black silk exterior trimmed with top gold hardware and clear swarovski crystals. Lift latch ...Category
1980s Evening Bags and Minaudières
$2,080 Sale Price20% Off - Judith Leiber Black Suede Evening Bag Clutch with Silk TasselBy Judith LeiberLocated in Philadelphia, PAJudith Leiber Black Suede Evening Bag Clutch with Silk Tassel in excellent condition. Black suede exterior trimmed with gold hardware, black...Category
1980s Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Judith Leiber Black Swarovski Crystal Minaudiere Evening Bag ClutchBy Judith LeiberLocated in Philadelphia, PABEAUTIFUL Judith Leiber Black Swarovski Crystal Minaudiere Evening Bag Clutch in excellent condition. Black swarovski crystal exterior trimmed with gold hardware and pearl top push b...Category
1980s Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Vintage Judith Leiber Black Silk Crystal Handle Evening BagBy Judith LeiberLocated in Philadelphia, PAVintage Judith Leiber Black Silk Crystal Handle Evening Bag in excellent condition. Black silk exterior trimmed with tiny rhinestones along handles and sides. Handles can snap togeth...Category
1980s Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Judith Leiber Black Silk Black Rhinestone Evening BagBy Judith LeiberLocated in Philadelphia, PAJudith Leiber Black Silk Black Rhinestone Evening Bag in excellent condition. Black silk exterior trimmed with sparkling black rhinestone body, silver hardware and black silk shoulde...Category
1990s Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Judith Leiber Swarovski Crystal Rabbit MinaudiereBy Judith LeiberLocated in Carmel by the Sea, CAJudith Leiber minaudiere features a floral pattern on a bunny rabbit metal frame encrusted in multicolored swarovski crystals and a top push-clasp closure. Optional chain handle and ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Judith Leiber Exquisite Crystal Encrusted Figural Woman Minaudière circa 1980sBy Judith LeiberLocated in University City, MOJudith Leiber Exquisite crystal encrusted figural woman minaudiere' The opulent gilt metal figural evening bag is designed with an elegant woman's head. Encrusted with contiguous row...Category
Late 20th Century American Evening Bags and Minaudières
$2,475 Sale Price22% Off - Kathrine Baumann Beverly Hills Snow White's Red Apple Minaudiere Evening BagBy Kathrine Baumann Beverly Hills, Katherine BaumannLocated in Tustin, CAA limited-edition, signed and numbered, Swarovski crystal encrusted, gold-plated metal Snow White's red apple shaped minaudière evening bag purse by Kathrine Baumann, who is the cele...Category
1990s American Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Judith Leiber Silver Rhinestone Bunny Rabbit MinaudiereBy Judith LeiberLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThis Judith Leiber minaudiere has different tones of silver rhinestones with purple stone eyes on silver metal. It is in the shape of a bunny rabbit a...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Versace 2012 Chainmail and Silk Satin Mini Dress IT 38 UK 6By Versace, Donatella VersaceLocated in London, GBIn commemoration of her late brother's last collection for the fashion house, Donatella Versace's stellar FW12 show displayed a tough-talking edginess that had the front row captivat...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Dresses
- Thierry Mugler Haute Couture Green Velvet Dress with Belt, "VAMPIRE DRESS" 1981.By Thierry Mugler CoutureLocated in New York, NYThierry Mugler Haute Couture Green Velvet Dress with Belt, "VAMPIRE DRESS" 1981. Off the shoulder puff-sleeve green velvet dress featuring fitted inne...Category
1980s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Stunning Snakeskin Patchwork Coat with Sheared Mink Lining and Black Fox TrimLocated in Tustin, CAThe patchwork aesthetic is this fall and winter’s most sought after look, which was proven on the runways during fashion month. Designers created plenty of patchwork pieces for their Fall collections, including Gucci, Prada, Marni, Kenzo, Alexander McQueen, and more. Now, available only on 1stdibs is this very expensive new, vintage snakeskin patchwork full length coat with luxurious sheared mink lining...Category
1970s American Coats
- Judith Leiber Silver Metal and Crystal Floral Oblong Minaudière Evening BagBy Judith LeiberLocated in Miami Beach, FLElegant Judith Leiber silver metal and crystal oblong evening bag clutch featuring a scrolling foliage flower design on a silver - toned metal bag. The hardware is silver. It has a...Category
Late 20th Century Evening Bags and Minaudières
$640 Sale Price20% Off - Dior Fall 2003 Silk Embroidered BagBy Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in Prague, CZUltra rare mini Dior bag as seen on Jacqui Getty in 2003! Pink satin canvas, embroidered and decorated with sequins with golden leather details and a Dior logo on a shoulder strap. ...Category
Early 2000s Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Chanel Vintage Mini Resin Pillbox Minaudière Spring 2006 ClutchBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel resin pillbox limited edition runway minaudière 2006 {VINTAGE 15 Years} Silver hardware Circular resin design with CC logo Black leather interior lining 2.25”W x 4”H x 2”D...Category
Early 2000s French Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Judith Leiber Rhinestoned Chevron Evening BagBy Judith LeiberLocated in Scottsdale, AZTake on the evening with this stunning Judith Leiber evening bag! Circa 1970s, this bag features a beautiful metallic gold, orange, white ...Category
1970s American Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Judith Leiber Black Swarovski Crystal Minaudiere Evening BagBy Judith Leiber, Judith LieberLocated in Scottsdale, AZElegance and glamor right this way! This is a highly designed handbag that will catch people's attention from across the room. This is a BEAUTIFUL Judith Leiber Black Swarovski Crystal Minaudiere Evening Bag Clutch in excellent condition. The exterior of this bag is covered in black swarovski crystal trimmed with gold hardware and pearl top push button closure. This handbag is vintage from 1997 and is in pristine vintage condition. On the interior there is a gold leather lining that holds a thin gold chain shoulder strap to easily convert between clutch and shoulder styles. No stains, smells, or missing crystals. Don't miss the adorable details of this bag like the mini pocket comb and mirror. There is one chip on the hardware of the mirror. Pair this handbag with a Moschino gown, some gold Chanel jewelry...Category
1990s American Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Judith Leiber Floral Patchwork BagBy Judith LeiberLocated in Scottsdale, AZElevate your look with this amazing Leiber! Circa 1970s, this bag features a gorgeous floral patchwork motif with colorful rhinestone embellishing with a black rhinestoned top...Category
1970s American Shoulder Bags
- Judith Leiber Exquisite Crystal Encrusted Figural Woman Minaudière circa 1980sBy Judith LeiberLocated in University City, MOJudith Leiber Exquisite crystal encrusted figural woman minaudiere' The opulent gilt metal figural evening bag is designed with an elegant woman's head. Encrusted with contiguous row...Category
Late 20th Century American Evening Bags and Minaudières
$2,475 Sale Price22% Off - Judith Leiber Black Lizard Clutch with Rhinestone Encrusted ClaspBy Judith LeiberLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis vintage Judith Leiber handbag is composed of black lizard. The clasp closure is rhinestone encrusted. In excellent condition, sold 'as is'. Comes with original comb and dust bag...Category
20th Century Unknown Evening Bags and Minaudières
- JUDITH LEIBER Vintage Rare 1960's Black and Gold Patent Leather Petite PurseBy Judith LeiberLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis Judith Leiber handbag is composed of a black patent leather with gold tone hardware. It is a very rare 1960's design featuring turn style closures with an exterior pocket. There...Category
20th Century French Evening Bags and Minaudières
Recently Viewed
View MoreThe 1stDibs Promise
Learn MoreExpertly Vetted Sellers
Confidence at Checkout
Price-Match Guarantee
Exceptional Support
Buyer Protection
Trusted Global Delivery