Hermes O'Kelly pendant, small model Gold Necklace
View Similar Items
Hermes O'Kelly pendant, small model Gold Necklace
About the Item
Kelly Bag
In 1837, Thierry Hermès (1801–78) founded his eponymous luxury goods company in Paris as a saddle manufacturer, serving the era’s carriage trade. In 1880, under the stewardship of Thierry's son Émile-Charles, fine riding gear was added to its offerings to complement the saddles. The company expanded their workshops to design handbags nearly half a century later. The Kelly bag, originally introduced as the Sac à dépêches (“the dispatch bag”) in 1935, was created by Robert Dumas, son-in-law to Thierry's grandson Émile-Maurice Hermès.
Designed for independent women who wanted a piece that was both luxurious and efficient, the Kelly bag has a trapezoid shape, two triangular gussets, a sculpted flap and handle. To this day, the understated bag comprises 36 individual leather pieces, 16 studs and a signature padlock and leather key cover, with three layers of leather at the base to ensure the bag can stand upright. Each Kelly bag takes between 18 and 25 hours to produce, and its 680 hand stitches owe solely to one Hermès artisan.
The Kelly bag earned its name during preproduction on Alfred Hitchcock’s 1955 film, To Catch a Thief. Costume designer Edith Head sourced products from Hermès to outfit actress Grace Kelly, who fell in love with the Sac à Dépêches and continued to carry it long after the movie wrapped. Months after marrying Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956, she was spotted carrying a brown pigskin Sac to shield her pregnancy from the paparazzi. And while the oft-repeated claim that Kelly and her bag appeared on a Life magazine cover isn’t true, photography of the actress and her cherished accessory began to appear everywhere at the time, and the bag’s profile suddenly skyrocketed.
In 1977 Hermès officially changed the item’s name to the Kelly bag. Less than a decade later, Hermès introduced another handbag to its line, also named after a style symbol, the Birkin bag. The Paris-based British actress Jane Birkin sat next to Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas — Robert's son — on an Air France flight. He noticed her overflowing handbag, and she told him she longed for “a handbag that is bigger than the Kelly but smaller than Serge’s suitcase,” in reference to her then-romantic partner, the French musician Serge Gainsbourg. The Birkin bag was created in 1984, joining the Kelly in Hermès’ permanent collection.
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.
- New Hermes Clic Clac H Bracelet Rose Cendeur GM Yellow Gold HardwareBy HermèsLocated in West Chester, PAThe Clic Clac H GM GM SIZE IS THE LARGER SIZE Hermes bracelet in Yellow Gold Plated Color is ROSE CANDEUR Pink GM size, for the larger hand Curently selling for $780 at Hermes Why...Category
2010s French Modern Bracelets
MaterialsGold Plate
- New Hermes Clic Clac Bracelet Marron Glace Rose Gold Hardware GMBy HermèsLocated in West Chester, PAHermes enamel bracelet with Rose gold plated finish Size is GM (LARGER size, for the larger hand) Hermes makes this in 2 sizes this is the larger Narrow bracelet in enamel with ros...Category
2010s French Modern Bracelets
MaterialsGold Plate
- New Hermes Clic Clac H Bracelet White GM Rose Gold Hardware GMBy HermèsLocated in West Chester, PAThe Clic Clac H GM GM SIZE Hermes bracelet in Rose Gold Plated Color is White GM size, for the larger hand Circumference: 7.5" Width: 0.47" Plastic on hardware New unworn COMES ...Category
2010s French Modern Bracelets
MaterialsGold Plate
- New Hermes Clic Clac H Bracelet Rose Cendre GM Yellow Gold Hardware GMBy HermèsLocated in West Chester, PAThe Clic Clac H Pm Pm SIZE Hermes bracelet in Yellow Gold Plated Color is Rose Cendre Brand new New unworn COMES IN HERMES GIFT BOX WITH DUSTCOVERCategory
2010s French Modern Bracelets
MaterialsGold Plate
- New Hermès Nantucket Watch 29MM Small Model StainlessBy HermèsLocated in West Chester, PABrand New The Hermes Nantucket watch is a classic timepiece known for its distinctive rectangular case and elegant design. Hermes Steel watch, ...Category
2010s Swiss Wrist Watches
MaterialsGold Plate, Titanium
- Hermès H08 Watch Titanium 42 mm Black Blue Version NewBy HermèsLocated in West Chester, PAThe totally new case of the Hermès H08 feels like a younger sibling of the Carré H that sheds some of the eccentricity in exchange for more mainstream design choices. Rather than hav...Category
2010s Swiss Wrist Watches
MaterialsGold Plate, Titanium
- Ruby and Diamond Necklace in 22 Karat and 18 Karat Yelllow GoldBy Pamela FarlandLocated in New York, NYThis winged pendant necklace with rose cut Diamond and pear shape Rubies, is set in 22 Karat gold with granulation. The delicate chain is 18Karat yellow gold with a lobster claw clos...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold
- Deco Orient Necklace Natural Burma Green Lavender Jade Ghost Dagger 18K SapphireBy Tom CastorLocated in Lambertville , NJThis Custom Designed and Crafted, One of a Kind Drop Pendant Necklace by Artisan Tom Castor features in Art Deco Style, Orient Tradition, Strong Form, Shape and Color featuring Deep Gem Hues and attention to detail. The Necklace is centered around a Hand Carved, Natural Burmese Jade Ghost Dagger. The Dagger carved by an artisan who stems from a Family of expert Jade Carvers. The Jade Piece is of White Color with Green Accent Swirls and Lavender Shadow. This exceptional carving has a weight of 65 Carats, one piece of Natural Jade and a measurement of 2.25" in length by 0.50" wide and is set in a Hand hinged bar for proper movement and placement on the neckline. The crown of the Pendant is set with three pairs of bezel set, matched Cabochon Gems including a pair of Natural Lavender Jade ovals of 5.3 grams combined weight and Burmese origin, a pair of Natural Chrysoprase ovals of 12 x 10mm each, and a pair of Blue Sapphires totaling 6.88 Carats for the two pieces. Dangling on either side of the Ghost Dagger are faceted Sapphires of Round Brilliant Cut and Ceylon origin. The six Sapphires are bezel set and hinged for movement and light play. The stones range in color from Blue to Purple, and range in size from 2.5 to 4mm with a combined weight of 1.24 Carats. The Diamonds in the Pendant are all of E - F Color and Vs1 Clarity. The fifty-eight Round Brilliant Diamonds have a total weight of 0.87 Carats. The entire Pendant measures 2" wide from its two widest points, and measures 3.5" in total length from top of bail to point of Jade Dagger...Category
2010s American Artisan Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsChrysophrase, Jade, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, White Diamond, Mul...
$18,500Free Shipping - Sacchi White and Black Diamonds Gemstone 18 Karat Yellow Gold NecklaceBy Sacchi GioielliLocated in Rome, IT18 Karat Yellow Gold Necklace embellished with Black and White Diamonds, from Sacchi’s "Anemones" Collection, hand-crafted with lost-wax casting technique. Lost-wax casting, one of...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsWhite Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
$11,005 Sale Price20% OffFree Shipping - Sacchi - Large heart pendant with Your Names 18k yellow white pink black goldBy Sacchi GioielliLocated in Rome, ITExquisite 18 Kt Gold Large Size Heart pendant customizable with names. The Pendant can be made of the following Materials: • 18 kt Yellow Gold • 18 Kt White Gold • 18 Kt Rose Gold • ...Category
2010s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
$1,965 / itemFree Shipping - Sacchi Lavender Jade and Diamonds 18 Karat Satin Yellow Gold PendantBy Sacchi GioielliLocated in Rome, ITExquisite Lavender Jade Gemstone Satin Yellow Gold Pendant Necklace embellished with White Diamond, from Sacchi’s “Burlesque” Collection, hand-crafted with lost-wax casting technique...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, White Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Sacchi - Small heart pendant with your names 18k yellow white pink black goldBy Sacchi GioielliLocated in Rome, ITExquisite 18 Kt Gold Small Size Heart pendant customizable with names. The Pendant can be made of the following Materials: • 18 kt Yellow Gold • 18 Kt White Gold • 18 Kt Rose Gold • ...Category
2010s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
$1,255 / itemFree Shipping
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
This Iconic Hermès Bag Is Made from an Unexpected Material: Wood
From a house that specializes in covetable objects, this version of the Kelly is the rarest of finds.
A Short History of the World’s Most Iconic Designs
Of the million-plus items on 1stdibs, some seem to have transcended time, looking as fresh today as when they were first produced. The pieces highlighted on our new Iconic Designs page stand out for longevity, functionality and quality of design and manufacture — just the tonic for the present unsettled moment.