HERMES JPG Birkin Clemence Palladium Hardware 40 Black Leather Handbag
View Similar Items
HERMES JPG Birkin Clemence Palladium Hardware 40 Black Leather Handbag
About the Item
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.
- Hermes Birkin 35 Epsom Vert Anis Palladium Hardware HandbagBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLDesigner: Hermes Collection: Birkin Color: Vert Anis Material: Epsom Leather Height: 25 cm Length: 35 cm Depth: 18 cm Strap Drop: 8 inches Dustbag: Yes Includes: 24 Month Brilliance Jewels Warranty Hermes Lock and KeyCategory
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern More Jewelry
MaterialsPalladium
- Hermes Kelly Retourné Noir Palladium Hardware HandbagBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLDesigner: Hermes Collection: Kelly Color: Black Material: Leather "Retourné" Width: 35 cm Dustbag: Yes Includes: 24 Month Brilliance Jewels Warranty Hermes Lock and KeyCategory
21st Century and Contemporary French More Jewelry
MaterialsPalladium
- Hermes Birkin Electric Blue Gold Hardware HandbagBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLDesigner: Hermes Collection: Birkin Color: Electric Blue Material: Togo Height: 9.5 inches Length: 11.8 inches Depth: 6 inches Dustbag: Yes Includes: 24 Month Br...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern More Jewelry
MaterialsGold
- Hermès Kelly Mini Sellier Poppy Orange Chevre Gold Hardware BagBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLDesigner: Hermes Collection: Kelly Style: Bag Color: Poppy Orange Chevre Material: Togo Height: 16 cm Width: 20 cm Length: 10 cm Dustbag: YES Includes: 24 Month Brillia...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern More Jewelry
MaterialsPalladium
- Hermes Birkin 30 cm Kiwi Candy in Epsom Leather with Gold HardwareBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLDesigner: Hermes Collection: Birkin Color: Kiwi Candy Material: Epsom Leather Height: 10 inches Length: 14 inches Depth: 7.5 inches Dustbag: Yes Includes: 24 Month Brilliance Jewels Warranty Hermes Lock and Key...Category
2010s French Modern Vanity Items
MaterialsGold
- Rare Hermés Violet Porosus Birkin BagBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLHermes Violet Porosus Crocodile Birkin 35 Bag. Rare exotic crocodile bag with gold hardware. Excellent condition. Like new. Interior is clean. all corne...Category
2010s French Modern Boxes and Cases
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Palladium Plated Tie Clip with Brown LeatherBy TateossianLocated in Fulham business exchange, LondonPalladium Plated Tie Clip with Brown Leather The perfect addition to your tie clip collection, this style combines palladium plated base metal with leather in a highly polished fini...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British More Jewelry
MaterialsPalladium
- Palladium Plated Tie Clip with Burgundy LeatherBy TateossianLocated in Fulham business exchange, LondonPalladium Plated Tie Clip with Burgundy Leather The perfect addition to your tie clip collection, this style combines palladium plated base metal with leather in a highly polished f...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British More Jewelry
MaterialsPalladium
- Hermès Long Hair Clip Eileen Palladium Plated Gold White LacquerBy HermèsLocated in FRBeautiful Authentic Hermès Hair Clip "Eileen" Collection Made in France Longest part is made of Palladium (silver-tone) mirror effect, the "H" is made o...Category
1990s Unknown More Jewelry
- Oval Cufflinks - 18k Palladium White Gold - Highly Polished - 15.7 mm x 20.8 mmBy Victor MayerLocated in Pforzheim, DEVictor Mayer oval cufflinks, 18k palladium white gold, Hallmark Collection, highly polished, measurements 15.7 mm x 20.8 mm This cufflinks are made of high quality 18k white gold. T...Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Cufflinks
MaterialsPalladium, White Gold, 18k Gold
- Hermès Birkin Bag Pendant for Necklace Bracelet or Charm in Silver RAREBy HermèsLocated in FRAdorable Authentic Hermès Pendant "Birkin" Bag shaped Can be hung by the handles of the bag or by the removable ring Made of Sterling Silver (925/100...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Hermes Black Ostrich Watch StrapBy HermèsLocated in New York, NYHermes '06 Black Ostrich Watch Strap Made in: Not given- believed to be France Year of Production: 2006 Stamp: J stamp in square Color: Black Mate...Category
Early 2000s French Wrist Watches
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.