Rare Silver-Plated Hermès H-Cube Lighter, France, c. 1960s
View Similar Items
Rare Silver-Plated Hermès H-Cube Lighter, France, c. 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:Hermès (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 2.5 in (6.35 cm)Width: 2.25 in (5.72 cm)Depth: 2.25 in (5.72 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Silver,Plated
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Great vintage condition.
- Seller Location:New York City, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: ACC15651stDibs: LU916523669232
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.
- Sterling Silver "Bamboo" Lighter by Hermès, France, c. 1950sBy HermèsLocated in New York City, NYVintage "bamboo" Lighter in Sterling Silver by Hermès, France, c. 1950s Engraved on the underside with maker's name.Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Rare Tripod Armchair by Guillerme et Chambron, France, c. 1960By Guillerme et ChambronLocated in New York City, NYTwo available; priced individually. Rare tripod sculptural lounge chair by Guillerme et Chambron. This chair is incredibly comfortable, with new cushions upholstered in navy linen ...Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLinen, Oak
- Rare Tripod Armchair by Guillerme et Chambron, France, c. 1960By Guillerme et ChambronLocated in New York City, NYTwo available; priced individually. Sculptural lounge chair by Guillerme et Chambron. This chair is incredibly comfortable, with new cushions upholstered in washed navy linen with ...Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLinen, Oak
- Rare Enameled Ceramic Mirror by Les Argonautes, France, c. 1960 'Signed'By Les ArgonautesLocated in New York City, NYRare Enameled Ceramic Mirror by Les Argonautes, France, c. 1960 (Signed) This delightful mirror was made by Isabelle Ferlay and Frédérique Bourget, the acclaimed design duo behind ...Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsEnamel
- Pine Work Table Attributed to Charlotte Perriand, France, c. 1960sBy Charlotte PerriandLocated in New York City, NYPine Work Table Attributed to Charlotte Perriand, France, c. 1960s Humble in design, this table consists of a solid pine top and clean metal base.Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Tables
MaterialsMetal
- Mid-Century Metal Coffee Table with Stone Top, France, c. 1960sLocated in New York City, NYMid-Century Metal Coffee Table with Stone Top, France, c. 1960s. This exceptional coffee table consists of a cast base with exquisite metalwork as well as an irregularly shaped s...Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsStone, Metal
- Hermes Silver Cube Lighter, 1960s FranceBy HermèsLocated in Los Angeles, CAMagnificent cube lighter by Hermes, Paris, circa 1960s France. Hermes H displayed on all 4 sides. Silver plated. Stamped Hermes, Paris underneath. Heavy a...Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsMetal, Silver
- 1960s St Dupont Lighter Silver Design HorizontalBy S.T. DupontLocated in Biella, ITS.T. Dupont France lighter sophisticated horizontal line1 first edit two tone silverplate and gold-rose color design in years '60 and is in good used vi...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsSilver Plate
- Midcentury Modern Lighter Ronson Silver 925 Design 1960sBy RonsonLocated in Palermo, ITRare Ronson pocket lighter in 925 silver with an elegant line. Italy of the 60s. Note: We try to offer our customers an excellent service even in shipments all over the world, coll...Category
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsSilver
- Carl Auböck Lighter, Austria 1960sBy Werkstätte Carl AuböckLocated in Berlin, DECarl Auböck Lighter, Austria 1960s.Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsBrass
- Carl Auböck Lighter, Austria 1960sBy Werkstätte Carl AuböckLocated in Berlin, DECarl Auböck Lighter, Austria 1960s.Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsBrass
- 20th Century French Silver & Gold Plated 'Shotgun' Smoking Set, Hermes, c.1960By HermèsLocated in Royal Tunbridge Wells, KentA wondrously luxurious novelty smoking set made by the celebrated Parisian luxury retailer Hermes. This rare set, no longer in production, and very hard to acquire would make the per...Category
20th Century French Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsGold Plate, Silver Plate
$3,171 / setFree Shipping
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.