Judith Leiber TigersEye and Gold Plated Key Chain
View Similar Items
Judith Leiber TigersEye and Gold Plated Key Chain
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Style:modern (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Gold Plated and Tigers Eye
- Condition:
- Seller Location:North Miami, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU25121595783
Judith Leiber
When it comes to handbags, no designer can compete with Judith Leiber’s (1921–2018) ability to create magic using opulent crystals and wildly imaginative and playful shapes. The Hungarian-born designer made minaudières (small, decorative handbags, often without handles or a strap) in the form of crystal-covered swans, cupcakes, lipstick, wads of cash, teddy bears and other delightful objects. These dazzling objets d’art have been regularly seen in the hands of First Ladies, movie stars on the red carpet and even in the prestigious collections of institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Like many pathbreaking inventions in the history of design, Leiber’s minaudières were the result of a happy accident. In 1967, she began working on her first metal handbag. The piece in question was named the Chatelaine, and the design was a graceful drop-shaped purse in gold-tinted metal. But when the samples came in, Leiber saw that the bottom of the bag looked greenish and discolored as a result of the plating process. She had the ingenious idea of applying crystal rhinestones to the base to cover up the flaws. The dazzling bag was a huge success and would become her trademark.
Born Judith Peto in Budapest, Leiber overcame many hardships before her breakthrough. At the start of World War II, she was working at the Pessl handbag company in Budapest where she quickly climbed the ranks to become a master craftswoman. When the war escalated, she and her Jewish family were forced by the Nazis to live in a cellar of a ghetto, and several of her relatives were killed in concentration camps. “I designed handbags in my head to get through the misery,” she said. After the liberation of Budapest, she married Gerson “Gus” Leiber, an American GI, and moved to New York. In 1948, she began working for the fashion house Nettie Rosenstein. One of her first major pieces was the handbag embroidered with glittering rhinestones and pearls carried by Mamie Eisenhower at the 1953 inaugural ball. In 1963, she finally set up her own company.
Leiber’s whimsical designs embellished with Swarovski crystals and semiprecious stones defied traditional notions of luxury handbags. She also created striking clutches and bags with leather and fine textiles from around the world. In her 65-year career, she designed over 3,500 bags, which have been worn by First Ladies including Nancy Reagan and Laura Bush, pop icons like Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez and celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner (who collects Leiber’s handbags). In 2005, the Leiber Collection Museum opened in East Hampton, New York, as a permanent space to showcase her work. The minaudières remain coveted objects celebrated worldwide for their eclectic beauty and glamorous charm.
The value of a good handbag cannot be overstated — find a collection of vintage Judith Leiber handbags and other fashion accessories today on 1stDibs.
- Yves Saint Laurent Tortoise Resin and Brass Waist Hip Belt VintageBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in North Miami, FLThis tagged lovely vintage french waist / hip belt by Yves Saint Laurent is circles and squares of tortoise resin set with brass connectors and hardware. It is timeless! This will fi...Category
1970s French Belts
- Gucci Vintage Gold Plated Unisex KeychainBy GucciLocated in North Miami, FLThis vintage gold plated Gucci mens key chain can also be unsex. It has the Gucci marked on the bottom right hand side of the G with a small bar connect...Category
1970s Italian Tech Accessories and Cases
$556 Sale Price20% Off - Roberta di Camerino Black & Brown Cut Velvet and Silver Plate Buckle Waist BeltLocated in North Miami, FLThis stunning never used Italian Roberta di Camerino waist belt has cut velvet in brown and black and silver plate as the hardware of a true belt buckle. It is a seamless close and open for the buckle; just a turn of the latch. it is for a very small waist. We would say a size 0 or 2 dress size maybe stretching to a size very tiny 4. When closed up the belt is 12" W and 1.85" H. The belt opened up end to end is 31" W or L end to end inclusive of the silver belt buckle hardware...Category
1980s Italian Belts
$1,200 Sale Price25% Off - Vintage Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Valet Two Part Key ChainBy Louis Comfort Tiffany, Tiffany & Co.Located in North Miami, FLThis now hard to come by hallmarked Tiffany sterling silver key chain has a detachable link for the valet. It is called Shackle and Hook. ...Category
1980s American Tech Accessories and Cases
- Pucci Silk and Leather Small Clutch And or WalletBy Emilio PucciLocated in North Miami, FLThis happy and beautiful Italian Emilio Pucci silk and black leather tassel small clutch / wallet is gorgeous. It has black leather trim with a gold tone ...Category
2010s Italian Clutches
- Gucci Signed Vintage Pink Enamel and Brass Plate Stirrup Boot Key ChainBy GucciLocated in North Miami, FLThis wonderful Italian vintage signed Gucci stirrup boot key chain has vibrant pink enamel over brass plate. What a chic way to go for your keys. It has good weight to it and is a great keychain. It is from the 70's. These are not common to find now. We have not seen one of these in a long time. A wonderful Gucci keychain...Category
1970s Italian Tote Bags
- Chanel Mademoiselle 2.55 Reissue Waist Bag Rare Leather Flap Bum Fanny Pack BeltBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLBlack 2.55 Reissue Belt Bag Rare Leather Flap Waist Bag Bum Fanny Pack We offer this Chanel Authentic Belt Bag in Rare Black Leather with Flap Waist ...Category
Early 2000s French Waist Belts
- SS19 Moschino Couture Jeremy Scott Logo W/'shrubs on Metal Gate' Gold Dress BeltBy Jeremy Scott, MoschinoLocated in Palm Springs, CASS19 Moschino Couture Jeremy Scott Logo W/'shrubs on Metal Gate' Gold Dress Belt Additional Information: Material: Metal Color: Gold Pattern: Shrubs climbing a metal gate Styl...Category
2010s Italian Waist Belts
$276 Sale Price20% Off - Rare 1970s Yves Saint Laurent Veruschka Gold Disco 70s Ring Chain Belt NeckalceBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in San Diego, CARare early 70s YSL gold chain link ring belt OR necklace ! This rare gem is nearly identical to the one Veruschka wore with the iconic safari dress. Can easily...Category
1970s French Belts
- Pauline Rader Gold Lock and Key to My Heart Chain Belt Necklace – XS-S, 1960sBy Pauline RaderLocated in Tucson, AZA luxurious promise, this chain belt is reminiscent of Chanel's uber-rare lock and key belts from the 80s--except that it pre-dates them by a cool 20 years. Set with multicolored cab...Category
1660s American Belts
- Chanel 1991 Ultra Rare Vintage Waist Belt Bag Fanny PackBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel 1991 VERY RARE VINTAGE Waist Belt Bag Fanny Pack Year: 1991 {VINTAGE 31 Years} Gold Hardware Quilted leather Thick chain belt Made in ItalyCategory
1990s Italian Waist Belts
- Chanel 2021 CC Rhinestones Chain Guntmetal Silver Waist Chain or NecklaceBy ChanelLocated in PUTNEY, NSWElevate your style to the pinnacle of luxury with the Chanel 2021 CC Rhinestones Chain in Gunmetal Silver, a versatile piece that effortlessly transforms into a stunning waist chain ...Category
2010s Waist Belts