JUDITH LEIBER Vintage Lion's Head Brooch Pendant Gold Tone
About the Item
- Creator:
- Dimensions:Width: 2 in (50.8 mm)Length: 2.75 in (69.85 mm)
- Place of Origin:United States
- Period:20th Century
- Date of Manufacture:20TH CENTURY
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU482658113
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Sterling Brooch with Aqua RhinestoneLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis brooch is composed of a gold hue sterling silver. Features an aqua colored center stone and rhinestone accents. In excellent vintage condition. **Please cross-reference measure...Category
20th Century American Brooches
MaterialsSilver
- BOUCHER Gold Tone Earrings and Brooch Set with RhinestonesBy Marcel BoucherLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis Boucher set is composed of a gold tone metal and rhinestone combination. The earrings feature a tension clasp closure. In excellent vintage condition....Category
20th Century Unknown Brooches
- SHERMAN White and Sapphire Rhinestone BroochLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis Sherman brooch features a white and blue sapphire hue rhinestones, set in a white gold hue metal. A lovely piece in excellent vintage condition. **Please cross-reference m...Category
20th Century American Brooches
- KENNETH JAY LANE Attributed Black Metal and Rhinestone Statement NecklaceBy Kenneth Jay LaneLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis KJL necklace is composed of a black metal with white and red rhinestones. There is a clasp closure. In great vintage condition. **Please cross-reference measurements for pe...Category
20th Century American Drop Necklaces
- GIVENCHY Large Gold Tone and Black BraceletBy GivenchyLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis vintage Givenchy bracelet is composed of a gold tone material and features black accents. Clasp closure. In excellent vintage condition...Category
20th Century Italian Link Bracelets
- Kenneth Jay Lane Large Purple and Rhinestone Clip EarringsBy Kenneth Jay LaneLocated in Los Angeles, CAThese are a gorgeous pair of Kenneth Jay Lane costume earrings. Measures: Height: 2 1/2" Width: 1 1/2"Category
20th Century American Clip-on Earrings
- Antique Cameo Pin and Pendant with Heart Bezel in 14k Yellow GoldLocated in Chicago, ILThis antique cameo pin and pendant with heart bezel is made of 14K yellow gold. Measurements are 2" H x 3/4" W.Category
Late 20th Century Art Nouveau Brooches
Materials14k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Art Deco Diamonds Brooch and PendantLocated in Palermo, ITArt Deco' Diamonds 14 ct Platinum Brooch with chain for pendant. long 90cm. central diamonds 0,80 eachCategory
Vintage 1920s Italian Art Deco Brooches
MaterialsDiamond
- Diamonds and Precious Stones Peacock Brooch 18 Karat GoldLocated in Palermo, ITDiamonds and Precious Stones Peacock Brooch in yellow and withe gold 18kt diamonds ct 2,20,Italian handcrafted.1990 misurement:2cm x 8 cm Australian pea...Category
1990s Italian Modern Brooches
MaterialsEmerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
- Art Nouveau Diamond Opal Pendant/Brooch, circa 1900Located in London, GB18ct gold & silver set Art Nouveau Diamond Opal Pendant/Brooch dated circa 1900 Five round opals with an articulated pear shaped opal drop, very well matched with lively play of colours and iridescence in reds, greens, blues and gold. Set in 18 carat yellow gold claw collets Two main transitional cut (old mine) diamonds 0.70ct. Mix of old mine and rose cut diamonds in an 18 carat yellow gold with “silver Set” channel setting , approx 1 ct total. G/H/I, VS2-SI2. Total diamond weight: approx 1.7carats Setting diamonds in gold with a thin layer of silver, “silver set”, was a technique used in the Georgian/Victorian/Art Nouveau period as white coloured gold and platinum were not yet available. A very thin layer of silver was applied to the gold, on which the diamonds were set, to show them off to their best advantage (as the yellow would reflect and distort the white colour of the diamonds). The Art Nouveau period was a short lived but worldwide movement which reached its peak at the end of the 19th Century and the first decade of the 20th Century. It had its roots in the Pre Raphaelite and Arts and Crafts movements in Britain in the 1860’s. Artists, such as William Morris, took their inspiration from the flora and fauna of nature and rejected the mass industrialisation and mechanisation of the Victorian age. Art Nouveau continued with this theme and has a distinctive appearance with soft, curved shapes and lines and often depicted natural designs such as flowers, birds and the female form. Before the Art Nouveau period, the emphasis had been to design pieces with an emphasis on gem stones, diamonds, rubies emeralds etc. However, during the Art Nouveau period, jewellers adopted the idea of using other semi–precious stones “from nature” such as agate, garnet opal, moonstone, aquamarine and experimented with a wide variety of new techniques e.g. enamelling. The “New Art” style became a worldwide movement encompassing all disciplines of the arts, and world class artists as far afield as Gaudi with his “modernisme” architecture in Spain, Louis Comfort Tiffany in New York with objects, Galle Glass in France and the Liberty & Co Archibald Knox designs in Britain, Jugendstil in Northern Europe and Faberge in Russia. The movement flared brightly but briefly and by 1910 it was already going out of style to be replaced by Art Deco. In fitted period box. Detachable 18ct brooch...Category
Antique Early 1900s British Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsWhite Diamond, Opal, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
- Rainbow Sapphires and Diamonds Gold Leaf Pendant Made in ItalyBy Gilberto CassolaLocated in Valenza, AL18Kt White Gold Leaf Pendant with Oval Shaped Natural Rainbow Sapphires, Round and Baguette Diamonds. One of a Kind Piece. Handmade in our Atelier in Valenza Italy. This Item can be ...Category
2010s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsGreen Sapphire, Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapp...
- Gold-Mounted Brooch in Gold, Enamel and StonesLocated in Paris, FROval gold brooch with an enamel medallion featuring two female figures in a landscape. Each of them holds an attribute related to mythology. Openwork mounting in a floral motif is highlighted with gem stone. Some wears on the enamel. Gold mark: eagle head 18K...Category
Antique 1860s French Neoclassical Brooches
MaterialsEmerald, Cultured Pearl, Gold, Enamel