Vintage Hermes Desk Set in Black Crocodile
View Similar Items
Vintage Hermes Desk Set in Black Crocodile
About the Item
- Creator:Hermès (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 8 in (20.32 cm)Width: 20 in (50.8 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1940's
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Kilmarnock, VA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8886748850
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.
- Cartier Paris 1935 Rare Art Deco Geometric Desk Clock in Black Onyx and AgateBy CartierLocated in Miami, FLA desk clock designed by Cartier. A beautiful and sober desk clock, created in Paris France by the the house of Cartier during the late art deco period, back in the early 1935. This desk clock is very rare and has been designed with geometric art deco patterns and assembled from several polished pieces carved from natural black onyx and reddish translucent agate. All parts mounted in gilded bronze and sterling silver settings of .935/.999. Movement: Swiss mechanical wingding Imhof movement, Caliber 244, Fifteen Jewels, 8 days, Serial 2449074. The dial is octagonal with a unique painted scene depicting an ancient Greek ship...Category
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
MaterialsAgate, Onyx, Sterling Silver, Bronze
- 1930s E. Gubelin Art Deco Desk Clock in the Asian Chinese StyleLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: E. Gubelin, Lucerne Switzerland STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco, Desk Clock MOVEMENT / CALIBER: 8 Day, Lever Escapement DIAL / HANDS: Original, Fired Enamel, Polished St...Category
Vintage 1930s Swiss Art Deco Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
MaterialsPrecious Stone
- Imhof Swiss 1950 Zodiacal Modernist 8 Days Desk Clock in Gilded Bronze and GlassBy Arthur ImhofLocated in Miami, FLDesk clock designed by Arthur Imhof. Fabulous desk-table clock, created in Switzerland by the clocks makers house of Imhof, back in the 1950. This clock is very rare and has been ...Category
Vintage 1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
MaterialsCrystal, Bronze, Steel
- Imhof Switzerland 1960 World Timer 8 Days Desk Clock in Bronze with 24h ScalesBy Arthur ImhofLocated in Miami, FLDesk world timer clock designed by Arthur Imhof. Fabulous and highly attractive desk-table clock, created in Switzerland by the clocks makers house of Imhof, back in the 1960. Thi...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
MaterialsSilver, Bronze, Enamel
- JAZ Paris 1930 Art Deco Geometric 8 Days Glass Desk Clock in Stainless SteelBy JazLocated in Miami, FLA desk clock designed by Jaz Paris. A beautiful and very handsome desk clock, created in Paris France by the the clock company of Jaz during the art deco period, back in the early 1930. This very decorative piece is very hard to find has been designed with geometric art deco patterns and assembled from an octagonal beveled cranberry glass and stainless steel steeped mountings. Deceptively weighty time piece showing the quality that one expects from this maker. Movement: French mechanical wingding Jaz movement, Eleven Jewels, 8 days. The dial is round with metallic cranberry color, Arabic silver...Category
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
MaterialsSteel, Stainless Steel
- Gubelin Swiss 1960 Retro Modernist 8 Days Desk Clock in Gilded Bronze and EnamelBy GubelinLocated in Miami, FLDesk clock designed by Gubelin. Fabulous desk-table clock, created in Luzern Switzerland by the house of Gubelin, back in the 1960. This clock is very rare and has been crafted wi...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
MaterialsBronze, Enamel, Steel
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.