Paul Dupré-Lafon Valet for Hermès, Paris
View Similar Items
Paul Dupré-Lafon Valet for Hermès, Paris
About the Item
- Creator:Hermès (Maker),Paul Dupré-Lafon (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 54.5 in (138.43 cm)Width: 17.75 in (45.09 cm)Length: 54.5 in (138.43 cm)
- Style:Art Deco (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1930s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading. There is fading throughout wood and chipping on various areas of leather. Patina on bottom half of brass and on accent pieces. Additional detailed photos available..
- Seller Location:Beverly Hills, CA
- Reference Number:Seller: 16041stDibs: LU808010250873
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.
- Jacques Adnet ValetBy Jacques AdnetLocated in Beverly Hills, CAStunning valet with seat by Jacques Adnet in black leather with white contrast stitching and brass detail with leather seat. Measure: Seat height i...Category
Vintage 1940s French Coat Racks and Stands
MaterialsBrass
$9,500 - Jacques Adnet ValetBy Jacques AdnetLocated in Beverly Hills, CAHandsome Jacques Adnet valet covered in black leather with contrast stitching and signature brass details. A truly timeless piece.Category
Vintage 1940s French Coat Racks and Stands
MaterialsBrass
$8,800 - Jacques Adnet ValetBy Jacques AdnetLocated in Beverly Hills, CAHandsome Jacques Adnet valet covered in black leather with contrast stitching and signature brass details. A truly timeless piece.Category
Vintage 1940s French Coat Racks and Stands
MaterialsBrass
$8,800 - Tito Agnoli for Pierantonio Bonacina Coat RackBy Tito Agnoli, Pierantonio BonacinaLocated in Beverly Hills, CAExtremely large scale wall hanging coat rack by Tito Agnoli for Pierantonio Bonacina with floating wood hooks hanging from black leather - a bui...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Coat Racks and Stands
MaterialsBamboo, Rattan
- Gianfranco Frattini Umbrella HolderBy Gianfranco FrattiniLocated in Beverly Hills, CAGianfranco Frattini for Cassina umbrella holder in white wood. Aluminum insert to protect for water.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Umbrella Stands
MaterialsWood
- Italian Rattan Coatrack with 4 HooksBy Olaf von BohrLocated in Beverly Hills, CAItalian bamboo coatrack with four wood hooks. Wonderful linear design and patina.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Coat Racks and Stands
MaterialsRattan
- A Rare Gentleman's Valet by Paul Dupré-Lafon for Hermès ParisBy Paul Dupré-LafonLocated in London, GBA Rare gentleman valet by Paul Dupré-Lafon for Hermès. The coat hanger and foldable shelf covered in Red stitched leather, also fitted with two polished brass tie hooks and the base ...Category
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Coat Racks and Stands
MaterialsBronze
- Night Valet Coat Rack by Paul Dupré-Lafon & HermèsBy Paul Dupré-Lafon, HermèsLocated in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, CNight Valet coat rack by Paul Dupré-Lafon (1900 - 1971) and Hermès. This creation has a unique removable shelf. Thierry Couvrat Desvergnes (1990) "Dupré...Category
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Coat Racks and Stands
MaterialsWood
- Rare Mahogany gentleman's valet by Paul Dupré Lafon for HermèsBy Paul Dupré-LafonLocated in Montreal, QCRare Mahogany gentleman's valet by Paul Dupré Lafon for Hermès. The coat hanger and foldable shelf covered in black stitched leather, also fitted with two polished brass tie hooks and the base fitted with a polished brass shoe rack...Category
Vintage 1930s French Coat Racks and Stands
MaterialsMahogany
- Night Valet by Dupré-lafon, circa 1935-1940By Paul Dupré-LafonLocated in Paris, FRNight valet with coat rack and removable shelf entirely covered in black leather, held in varnished wood uprights and ending with tubular brass crosspieces...Category
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Coat Racks and Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Jacques Adnet For Hermes Valet Leather Wrapped Original Tartan Plaid UpholsteryBy Jacques Adnet, Paul Dupré-Lafon, HermèsLocated in North Hollywood, CARare Jacques Adnet for Hermes valet de nuit and seat with leather wrapped hand-stitched in Hermès saddle style and original tartan plaid wool upholstery....Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Coat Racks and Stands
MaterialsMetal
- 1950s Hermès Dupré-Lafon Ashtray Small PortholeBy Hermès, Paul Dupré-LafonLocated in Hong Kong, HKRare 1950s Hermès ashtray in the shape of a small porthole, designed by Paul Dupré-Lafon (1900-1971) Stamped Hermès/ Paris underneath Dark Blue/ Black leather Condition: The leat...Category
Mid-20th Century French Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsChrome
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.