Hermes Bell
View Similar Items
Hermes Bell
About the Item
- Creator:Hermès (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 3.25 in (8.26 cm)Diameter: 1.88 in (4.78 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Replacements made: Clapper of bell was replaced. (The inner ball that rings against the side of the bell and makes a sound). Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1853325329901
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.
- 1950s Hermès Horseshoe MatchboxBy HermèsLocated in Los Angeles, CAClassic vintage Hermès matchbox. Matchbox has a metal sleeve with a horseshoe insignia. Inset leather box that fits into the metal sleeve. Engraved Her...Category
Vintage 1950s French Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche
MaterialsMetal
- Hermes Wine Bottle Topper, 1960s FranceBy HermèsLocated in Los Angeles, CABeautiful vintage Hermès equestrian bottle topper. Hermès Paris stamped on outer rim. Beautiful accent piece to elevate any bar, bar cart or...Category
Vintage 1960s French Barware
MaterialsMetal
- Arthur Umanoff Wine RackBy Arthur UmanoffLocated in Los Angeles, CAGorgeous iron and leather wine rack by Arthur Umanoff. Solid iron frame with two butcher block shelves. Saddle leather straps hold 30 bottles. Lower shelf can hold an additional nine...Category
Vintage 1950s American Barware
MaterialsIron
$2,200 / item - Jacques Adnet Style Wine Bottle Holder and TrayBy Jacques AdnetLocated in Los Angeles, CAElegant wine bottle holder and serving tray in the style of French designer Jacques Adnet. Metal frame and handles all wrapped in leather. Covered with a tan crosshatched natural fiber. Providing a Stark contrast to the black studded leather. Serving tray comes with a glass top and brass ball feet. Black felted bottoms on both items. Perfect addition to a bar or outdoor picnic...Category
Vintage 1950s French Barware
MaterialsMetal
$1,800 / set - Arthur Umanoff Bar and Pair of Matching StoolsBy Arthur UmanoffLocated in Los Angeles, CAHandsome bar by Arthur Umanoff. Wood slats, iron frame and formica top. Slight bowing on sides. Matching Umanoff iron and wood slat bar stools with...Category
Vintage 1950s American Dry Bars
MaterialsIron
$2,800 / set - Jacques Adnet Style Leather Bottle RackBy Jacques AdnetLocated in Los Angeles, CAGorgeous red leather bottle rack in the style of Jacques Adnet. Can hold four bottles comfortably. Good vintage condition.Category
Vintage 1970s French Barware
MaterialsLeather
- Chrome Dumb Bell Cocktail ShakerBy Meriden Silver Plate Co.Located in Cincinnati, OHA classic chromed metal dumb bell cocktail shaker with the lid to one end having a removable strainer . Great for that party , bar display or just making a cool refreshing drink , ma...Category
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Barware
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- 2 Crystal ship decanters in bell shapeLocated in Delft, NL2 crystal ship decanters in bell shape. Bell shaped decanters, diamond cut and star cut shape bottom 1 Stop has a saw cut. Used decanters ...Category
20th Century European Barware
MaterialsCrystal
$518 / set - Hermès, Paris - Pair Equestrian Horseshoe Wine Coasters c.1950By Hermès, Ravinet D' EnfertLocated in Bath, GBA superb pair of vintage equestrian themed wine bottle coasters made by the top notch Parisian silversmith, Ravinet d'Enfert for the iconic fashion house of Maison Hermès. Top quali...Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Barware
MaterialsGold Plate, Silver Plate
- Ruby Red Cut To Clear Crystal Dinner BellLocated in Oklahoma City, OKA pretty ruby red cut to clear crystal dinner bell. This will be a fabulous piece to use to call for those holiday dinners. It has a geometric carv...Category
20th Century Czech Victorian Barware
MaterialsCrystal
- 1950's Hermès set of Decanters in a leather basket holderBy HermèsLocated in Hong Kong, HKBeautiful 1950's Dual Decanter Hermès Holder, including two crystal decanter together in a green leather stitched Hermes look a like basket. Dimensions:...Category
Mid-20th Century French Barware
MaterialsCrystal, Brass
- Hermes, Paris Cordage Bottle Opener in Silver Plate c.1960'sBy Hermès, Ravinet D' EnfertLocated in Bath, GBA fabulous vintage French silver plated bottle opener created c.1960's for the "Cordage" range, a range of exceptional items for the home and office. Stamped Hermes, Paris and Mad...Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Barware
MaterialsSilver Plate
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.