Sterling Silver 'Horse-Racing' Place-Card or Menu Holders by Hermés
View Similar Items
Sterling Silver 'Horse-Racing' Place-Card or Menu Holders by Hermés
About the Item
- Creator:Hermès (Fashion House)
- Dimensions:Height: 1.5 in (3.81 cm)Width: 4 in (10.16 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 12
- Style:Art Deco (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:Sterling Silver,Cast
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1650-1659
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:Seller: 36491stDibs: LU86801680792
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.
- 12 Sterling Silver Julep Cups or GobletsBy International SilverLocated in London, GBInternational Silver Co. USA. A highly unusual set of 12 Sterling silver goblets or julep cups, with gently flared rims, each cup ...Category
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
$8,895 / set - Sterling Silver 'Shotgun' Cocktail Set by J.E Caldwell & Co, circa 1920By J.E. Caldwell & Co.Located in London, GBJ.E Caldwell & Co, Pennsylvania. An incredibly stylish and most likely bespoke Sterling silver 12 piece cocktail or drinks set, featuring a pitcher and tumblers resembling shotgun...Category
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Hammered Sterling Silver Champagne Goblets by Buccellati, circa 1990sBy BuccellatiLocated in London, GBBuccellati, Italy. A set of eight handmade Sterling silver stemmed Champagne or wine goblets by Buccellati, each goblet with a plain, swept foot and the bowl in a hammered or mart...Category
1990s Italian Other Barware
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Walker & Hall Sterling Silver Fox.By Walker & HallLocated in London, GBA fine Sterling silver model of a fox baring his teeth, well-modelled and mounted on a granite base. Hallmarked Walker & Hall, Sheffield, England, 1921.Category
Early 20th Century British Other Animal Sculptures
MaterialsMarble, Sterling Silver
- Art Deco box by Cartier, New York in Sterling Silver & 14ct Gold, 1930By CartierLocated in London, GBCartier, New York A magnificently stylish Sterling silver cigar box of high Art Deco style by Cartier, New York, circa 1930, the rectangular box...Category
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Cigar Boxes and Humidors
MaterialsLapis Lazuli, Gold, Sterling Silver
- Giant Sterling silver three-handled cup, 1914By Kemp Bros of BristolLocated in London, GBA very stylish and very large, three handled, Sterling silver trophy cup with geometric conical body with hammered finish, with three angular handles, and three feet with scalloped d...Category
Early 20th Century British Other Centerpieces
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Antique Edwardian Sterling Silver Menu / Card HoldersLocated in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon TyneAn exceptional, fine and impressive set of four antique Edwardian English sterling silver menu / card holders - boxed; an addition to our diverse dining silverware collection. These exceptional antique Edwardian sterling silver menu holders have been realistically modelled in the form of gamebirds, on plain circular bases. The species of birds include: grouse, a snipe, a pheasant and a partridge. Each cast silver bird is embellished with details reproducing the plumage and anatomical features. The birds are further embellished with impressive gem set eyes. These exceptional examples of antique silver are fitted with plain angular supports to the posterior surfaces. Each model surmounds a plain circular plateaued base. This impressive set of antique silver menu holders is fitted to the original hinged leatherette box with satin and velvet lined interior, secured with a push fit catch. The interior of the box bears the retailer's mark 'By Appointment, Mappin & Webb, Regent Street, London, W'. Condition These impressive antique silver menu holders are an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional condition. The satin interior to the original box has wearing in keeping with age. Full hallmarks struck to the underside of each holder and part hallmarks to each model are very clear. Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of these silver menu card...Category
Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Tableware
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Antique German Sterling Silver Card and Menu HoldersLocated in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon TyneAn exceptional, fine and impressive pair of antique German cast sterling silver card/menu holders; an addition to our animal related silverware collection. These exceptional German cast sterling silver menu holders have been realistically modelled in the form of two figures in period, 18th century attire. The surface of one piece is embellished with a gentleman figure raising a filled glass, stood in front of a balustrade with an array of floral and fruit ornamentation around a bottle and further glasses. The second holder is modelled in the form of a maiden walking down some stairs carrying a tea tray. These antique silver menu holders...Category
Antique Early 1900s German Tableware
MaterialsSilver, Sterling Silver
- Sterling Silver Menu HoldersLocated in Braintree, GBPair of menu holders in a shape of a birds Made in London, 1937 Maker: AFFP ( unidentified) Fully hallmarked. Dimensions - Size : 7.2 x 4.2 x 8 c...Category
Vintage 1930s British Arts and Crafts Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- 12 Sterling Silver Place Card Holders crustaceansLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRSet of 12 sterling silver place card holders in the shape of crustaceans 800 silver hallmark Length: 8.3 cm - 3.26 inches Height: 1.8 cm - 0.7 inches Weight: 270 grams In perfect co...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- 1909 Antique Edwardian Sterling Silver Menu / Card HoldersLocated in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon TyneAn exceptional, fine and impressive set of four antique Edwardian English sterling silver menu / card holders, boxed, an addition to our diverse dining silverware collection. These exceptional and rare antique Edwardian cast sterling silver menu/card holders have a circular rounded form. These antique silver...Category
Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Tableware
MaterialsSilver, Sterling Silver
- 6 Sterling Silver Place Card Or Menu Holder Horse Samuel Jacob JockeyLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRBeautiful set of 6 Sterling Silver place card or menu holder horse Made by Samuel Jacob in London Letter date 2 A for 1896, 2T for 1894 and 2 U for 1895 Length between 7.6 and 10.3 c...Category
Antique 1890s British Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
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.