Judith Leiber glazed black calf flap front snake chain handle evening bag
View Similar Items
Judith Leiber glazed black calf flap front snake chain handle evening bag
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:West Palm Beach, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2841507313
Judith Leiber
When it comes to handbags, no designer can compete with Judith Leiber’s ability to create magic using opulent crystals and wildly imaginative and playful shapes. The Hungarian-born designer's lauded vintage minaudières (small, decorative handbags, often without handles or a strap) were made 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. And like many pathbreaking inventions in the history of design, Leiber's purses and minaudières were the result of a happy accident.
In 1967, Leiber 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 fabulous 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,” Leiber 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 Leiber's 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 Judith Leiber bags).
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 that are celebrated worldwide for their eclectic beauty and glamorous charm.
The value of a good handbag cannot be overstated — find vintage Judith Leiber shoulder bags, crossbody bags, sunglasses and other fashion accessories today on 1stDibs.
- Gianfranco Lotti Firenze Forest Green Leather HandbagLocated in West Palm Beach, FLGianfranco Lotti Firenze Forest Green Leather Handbag. A beautiful structured bag with the signature gold key hole clasp and gold hardware. The bag fe...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Top Handle Bags
- Schitz Paris Rare Black Crocodile Handbag with Gold Hardware 1953.Located in West Palm Beach, FLSchitz, Paris rare black crocodile frame handbag with gold hardware from 1953. Schitz was a leather goods shop in Paris retailing luggage, handba...Category
1950s French Top Handle Bags
- Lloyd Klein Paris Shagreen & Rosewood Evening BagLocated in West Palm Beach, FLLloyd Klein, Paris shagreen and rosewood evening bag with a carved stone beaded handle. Natural colour shagreen in greyish green, the beaded handle is blac...Category
20th Century French Evening Bags and Minaudières
- R & Y Augousti Paris Large Brown Snakeskin Shoulder Bag with Silver StudsBy R & Y AugoustiLocated in West Palm Beach, FLR & Y Augousti Paris large brown snakeskin shoulder bag with silver studs. Soft skin bag has a leather lined shoulder strap that is incorporated in the bags design. The bag is large ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Hobo Bags
- Loewe Amazona Bronze Goatskin HandbagBy LoeweLocated in West Palm Beach, FLLoewe Amazona bronze goatskin handbag. Beautiful bronze metallic soft goat skin leather bag, the front features a raised logo applique, rolled leather we...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Top Handle Bags
- Nancy Gonzalez Large Dark Brown Crocodile Double Handle HandbagBy Nancy GonzalezLocated in West Palm Beach, FLNancy Gonzalez large dark brown crocodile double handle handbag. This beautiful bag is perfect for dressy to casual wear, two wide handles are ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Colombian Top Handle Bags
- Exceptional Hermès Kelly bag 28 returned in navy box leatherBy HermèsLocated in CANNES, FRExceptional Hermès Kelly bag 28 returned in navy box leather, gold-plated metal trimming, shoulder strap removable in marine box leather, handle...Category
1970s French Top Handle Bags
- Vintage Handbag by 'Garay' USA, Chenille flowers in diferent colors, USA 1950sBy GarayLocated in Stuttgart, DEThis timeless collectable from the 1950s is an oversized, eyecaticng statement piece that adds a hint of tastful clamur to any ensable. Suptous cut velvet - chenille fabric in mult-l...Category
1940s American Top Handle Bags
$307 Sale Price20% Off - Hermès Navy Striped Fourre Tout PM Tote Bag 1216h2By HermèsLocated in Dix hills, NYHermès Navy Striped Fourre Tout PM Tote Bag 1216h2 Made In: France Measurements: Length: 11.5" Width: 3" Height: 8.5" Handle Drop: 3.5" OVERALL FAI...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
- Hermès 35CM Burgundy Porosus Crocodile Palladium H/W Birkin BagBy HermèsLocated in London, GBLuxuriously rich burgundy coloured with tonal top stitching. Condition - In excellent post Hermès Spa condition. Only lightly used. Has been carefully kept by collector owner in its...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
Unavailable$70,259 - Louis Vuitton Montaigne Vintage Bag Black Epi LeatherBy Louis VuittonLocated in Torre Del Greco, ITLouis Vuitton signed bag, Montaigne model, made of epi canvas in black patent leather and silver hardware. Equipped with double leather handle to wear the handbag. Internally lined i...Category
2010s Top Handle Bags
- Louis Vuitton Speedy 30 Murakami Multiple colors Monogram Bag, 2003By Louis Vuitton, Takashi MurakamiLocated in New York, NYVintage Louis Vuitton limited edition monogram bag. Created in collaboration with Takashi Murakami. Material: coated canvas Lining: fabric. Date code: Condition: very good. Measu...Category
Early 2000s French Top Handle Bags