Hermes Constance 24cm Etoupe Epsom Gold
View Similar Items
Hermes Constance 24cm Etoupe Epsom Gold
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:West Chester, PA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU160616836421
Hermès
For Hermès, what began as a maker of leather equestrian goods for European noblemen would eventually grow into one of the most storied fashion labels in the world. In 1837, German-born French entrepreneur Thierry Hermès opened a saddle and harness purveyor in Paris. Gradually, the house extended into accessories and luggage for its riders, and today, in paying homage to its origins, the family-run luxury brand resurfaces horse motifs in everything from clothing and modernist jewelry to pillows and handbags.
The first top-handled bag ever produced by Hermès was the Haut à courroies, which made its debut in 1892. A tall bag secured with a folded leather flap (fastened with bridle-inspired straps), it was designed to transport riding boots and a harness.
As the world made the switch from horse to automobile, the bag adapted, becoming a multifunctional travel satchel instead of a designated saddlebag. Today, 120 years later, the HAC remains in Hermès’s line — and its distinctive flap and clasping straps have laid the groundwork for some of the house’s other iconic bags.
In the 1930s, Robert Dumas (son-in-law to Émile-Maurice Hermès, Thierry’s grandson) designed a smaller, trapezoidal take on the flap bag with a handle and two side straps. Later, actress Grace Kelly, then engaged to Prince Rainier of Monaco, is said to have used one of these bags to conceal her pregnancy during the 1950s. Because she was photographed constantly, the coverage catapulted her handbag to international popularity.
In 1977, Hermès officially renamed the model for her, and the Kelly bag was born. Each Kelly bag takes between 18 and 25 hours to produce, and its 680 hand stitches owe solely to one Hermès artisan.
Robert Dumas was also responsible for another one of the brand’s most iconic offerings: the launch of its first silk scarf on the occasion of Hermès’s 100th anniversary in 1937. Based on a woodblock designed by Dumas and printed on Chinese silk, the accessory was an immediate hit.
Today, vintage Hermès scarves, typically adorned in rich colors and elaborate patterns, serve many functions, just as they did back then. Well-heeled women wear it on their heads, around their necks and, in a genius piece of cross-promotion, tied to the straps of their Hermès bags. Kelly even once used one as a sling for her broken arm.
In 1981, Robert Dumas’s son Jean-Louis Dumas, then Hermès chairman, found himself sitting next to French actress and musician Jane Birkin on a plane, where she was complaining about finding a suitable carryall for the necessary accoutrements of motherhood. After the two travelers were properly introduced, Birkin helped design Jean-Louis’s most famous contribution to the Hermès canon: the Birkin bag, a roomy, square catchall with the HAC’s trademark leather flap top and the addition of a lock and key.
Owing to the brand’s legendary commitment to deft, handcrafted construction, the Birkin is an investment that is coveted by collectors everywhere.
While the Kelly and Birkin may be standouts, gracing the arms of everyone from royal heiresses to hip-hop stars in the past few decades, the handbags are but a small part of Hermès’s fashion offerings.
Since the 1920s, the brand has produced some of the most desirable leather goods in the world. There’s the Constance bag, a favorite of Jacqueline Kennedy, the recently relaunched 1970s-era Evelyne and, on the vintage market, a slew of designs dating back to the 1920s.
Good design never goes out of style. Find a variety of vintage Hermès handbags, day dresses, shoes and more on 1stDibs.
- Hermes Nata Mini Della Cavalleria Epsom Crossbody Bag 2023By HermèsLocated in West Chester, PANewly Created Hermes Della Cavalleria Mini Bag Brand new, B stamp If you love the Constance bag you will love this one too Elegant and inspiring , with the sophistication of a horse ...Category
2010s French Structured Shoulder Bags
- CHANEL 22 Mini Handbag Pink Coral Goldtone NEWBy ChanelLocated in West Chester, PAThe New Chanel 22 Mini Hobo style bag As seen on Celebrities all around the world including K2 Pop star JENNIE, an icon whose fame whips up crowds and stirs hearts, everything spark...Category
2010s Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Hermès Evelyne New White TPM Bag 16 Gold HardwareBy HermèsLocated in West Chester, PAHermes Evelyne Tpm 16 We have it in stock, ready, store fresh This is the mini, the smallest size they make The perfect neutral! Think spring summer Color is New White Comes with m...Category
2010s French Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- CHANEL 22 Mini Handbag Barbie Purple Gold HardwareBy ChanelLocated in West Chester, PAThe New Chanel 22 Mini Hobo style bag As seen on Celebrities all around the world including K2 Pop star JENNIE, an icon whose fame whips up crowds and stirs ...Category
2010s Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
$4,999 Sale Price26% Off - Hermès Beton Evelyne Tpm Gold Hardware NewBy HermèsLocated in West Chester, PAHermes Evelyne Tpm 16 Tres Petite Modele The Evelyne bag is known for its simple and functional design, featuring a perforated "H" logo on the front that serves both an aesthetic an...Category
2010s French Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Hermes Danse Pacifique Silk 90cm New Dusty Rose Feathers and ShellsBy HermèsLocated in West Chester, PAHermes Danse Pacifique Made in France Designed by Laurence Bourthoumieux Measures 36" x 36" Size is 90cm Full size scarf Scarf in silk twill with hand rolled edges (100% silk) Made in France Compliment your outfit with this stunning design Colorway 04 Color: Vieux Rose/Vert/Jaune Hermes Box...Category
2010s French Scarves
- Vintage 2001 Louis Vuitton x Stephen Sprouse Monogram Graffiti PochetteBy Louis VuittonLocated in Malibu, CAThis dreamy LOUIS VUITTON limited edition leather pochette bag is as stunning as they come. A coveted collectors piece. From the Steven Sprouse collaboration this bag is to die for! ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Structured Shoulder Bags
- 2004 brown Lambskin leather pleated rings hobo shoulder bagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLNew condition with faint scratches to hardware. Includes box, dust bag and authenticity card. Extremely rare bag, super soft buttery leather. Large CC silver hardwareCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoulder Bags
- Dolce and Gabanna Devotion Floral Shoulder BagBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Palm Beach, FLQuilted nappa leather medium Devotion crossbody bag. Feminine and adaptable, it boasts an original heart clasp with an antique gold finish and a shoulder strap inspired by the method...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Red Quilted Patent Leather 2.55By ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FL2010-2011 Chanel Patent Leather Quilted Red 2.55 Reissue 225. Red patent leather with quilting, encircled by silver hardware. It also includes Coco Chanel's Mademoiselle Lock. The t...Category
2010s French Shoulder Bags
- Louis Vuitton Les Extraordinaires Tupelo PM HandbagBy Louis VuittonLocated in Palm Beach, FLRare Louis Vuitton spring les extraordinaires Tupelo PM edition from the 2006 spring-summer season in excellent condition. The white leather exterior has gold embroidery and set jewe...Category
Early 2000s French Shoulder Bags
- Louis Vuitton Monogram Multicolor Alma WhiteBy Louis VuittonLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis bag is made of white toile canvas with a Multicolore monogram in 33 vibrant colors. It has vachetta leather top handles, a leather base, leather trim, and a front zipper pocket...Category
Early 2000s French Structured Shoulder Bags
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
The Hermès Passe-Guide Bag Might Not Be as Well Known as the Birkin or Kelly, But It’s Every Bit as Chic
Find out why this under-the-radar piece is so exceptional.
How to Spot a Fake Hermès Birkin Bag
The iconic Birkin bag is much coveted — and often copied. Find out how to tell the real deal from a convincing fake. Of course, you don't have to worry about this on 1stDibs, where every seller is highly vetted.