Hermes Paris Bombay Shoulder Bag Tote Prune Togo Leather
View Similar Items
Hermes Paris Bombay Shoulder Bag Tote Prune Togo Leather
About the Item
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.
- Loro Piana Geranium Leather Bellevue BagBy Loro PianaLocated in Geneva, CHCrafted in a beautiful orange/pink leather this pre-owned Bellevue Bag from the house of Loro Piana is in very good condition. It features two pockets on the outside and a strap tha...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoulder Bags
- Céline Large Tartan Pliage Patapan Tote BagBy CelineLocated in Geneva, CHCreated by Hedi Slimane for Céline in 2021, this tote bag is crafted in a black and red wool tartan fabric. It features a black calfskin leather oversize logo as well as black calfsk...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tote Bags
- Chanel White Leather Hidden Chain Tote BagBy ChanelLocated in Geneva, CHThis pre-owned white lambskin leather tote bag from the Chanel 2008 Collection is a hard piece to find especially in such good condition. It fe...Category
Early 2000s Italian Tote Bags
- Tom Ford Black Quilted Nylon Puffy Alix BagBy Tom FordLocated in Geneva, CHThis pre-owned new quilted puffy bag is part of the Alix collection. It is crafted in black nylon with a quilted padded finish. The triming is made of black...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoulder Bags
$1,967 Sale Price20% Off - Chanel 2.55 Double Flap Grey Aged Calfskin Maxi BagBy ChanelLocated in Geneva, CHThis gorgeous pre-owned Chanel 2.55 Classic Doubleflap Maxi Bag - 5 pockets is the most iconic handbag in the fashion world is crafted in a gorgeous dark grey aged quilted calfskin l...Category
2010s French Shoulder Bags
- Gucci Large Aphrodite Canvas and Leather Shoulder BagBy GucciLocated in Geneva, CHMade from canvas and trimmed with smooth calf leather, this large iteration of the Aphrodite bag is part of Gucci's Cosmogonie collection. It features a signature Double G plaque in ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoulder Bags
- Chanel large CC coated canvas beach toteBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLNever worn As seen on Sex and the City the movie Has a large detachable interior pouch insert XL shopping tote with rope detail perfect for travel or vacation Very spacious tote th...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Tote Bags
- CELINE black & olive CALF HAIR MINI LUGGAGE Tote Shoulder BagBy CelineLocated in Zürich, CHCéline 'Mini Luaggabe' tote in olive calf hair with black calf hair gussets and black leather details. Zipper pocket on the front. Closes with a zipper on top. Lined in black leather...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
$3,512 Sale Price20% Off - Chanel 1997 Graffiti Floral Tropical Towel Beach Pool Resort Quilted Tote BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel 1997 Graffiti Floral Tropical Towel Terry Beach Pool Resort Quilted Tote Bag 1997 {VINTAGE 24 Years} Gold hardware CC logo hardware details T...Category
1990s French Tote Bags
- Chanel 2007 Vintage Calfskin Leather Large Jumbo CC Logo Black Shopping ToteBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel 2007 Vintage Calfskin Leather Large Jumbo CC Logo Black Shopping Tote black lambskin diamond quilting signature interlocking CC logo top zip f...Category
Early 2000s French Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel 2006 Classic Flap Braid Quilted Small Black Distressed Lambskin BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Lady Braid Quilted Distressed Quilted Lambskin Small Classic Flap Bag 2006 {VINTAGE 17 Years} Silver hardware Soft diamond quilted distressed lambskin leather Top handle is ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel 1991 Vintage Classic Flap Rare Quilted Black Lambskin Shoulder BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Rare 1991 Vintage Lambskin Quilted Classic Flap Bag 1991 {VINTAGE 31 Years} Gold hardware CC Turnlock Closure Texturized stud hardware Classic flap back pocket Quilted Leathe...Category
1990s 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.