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.
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Leather-Covered Wood Bookends by the Hermès, France
By Hermès
Located in North Miami, FL
Pair of mid-20th century Modern leather-covered wood bookends by the luxury brand Hermès Paris, France By: Hermès Paris Material: wood, leather Technique: carved, hand-carved, hand-...
Wood
$44,524Sale Price|20% Off
1 OF 1 HERMES PARIS JOHN LOBB EXTRA LARGE SHOE TRUNK HAND DYED LEATHER PANELs
By Hermès, John Lobb
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Hermes Paris for John Lobb shoe trunk and care kit with original accessories plus countless extras Where to begin! This is the finest example of this kind of trunk I have ever see...
Leather, Beech
Art Deco Horse Head Bookends by Hermès, Bronze and Wood, Circa 1930
By Hermès
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Pair of horse head bookends designed by Hermès made of bronze with a wooden base. France, CIRCA 1930.
Bronze
20th Century French Modern Leather Makeup/Vanity Wallet with Mirror by Hermès
By Hermès
Located in North Miami, FL
Mid-20th century Modern compact leather makeup/vanity wallet with mirror by Hermès Paris, France By: Hermès Paris Material: leather, mirror Technique: embossed, polished Dimensions: 1 in x 5.5 in x 7.5 in Date: mid-20th century Style: Mid-Century Modern, Space Age Place of origin: France Encased in fine reddish-brown leather, this mid-20th century Hermès vanity wallet is a sophisticated expression of modern design. The exterior features a subtly textured leather surface, accentuated by precise stitching and a geometric clasp adorned with a pale green panel. The closure mechanism, a structured leather strap looping through a matching leather slot, secures the case with refined simplicity. Inside, the wallet reveals a well-organized layout lined in soft beige, hosting a built-in mirror, a series of compartments, and a translucent amber-hued comb. The craftsmanship is evident in the meticulous finishing of each section, balancing elegance with practicality. The Hermès stamp...
Leather, Mirror
$1,800
1950s Hermès Ebony Brush
By Hermès
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Hermès clothing brush. Made from rare Ebony Macassar wood, boar bristles and brass. This brush is meant to preserve the life and appearance o...
Brass
$19,100
HERMES Hunting case C.1930s
By Hermès
Located in New York, NY
Hermes Leather Shotgun Shell Case front edge center stamped "HERMES PARIS," and to the right edge corner, there is the number '13" stamped in leather. Hardware is stamped HERMES. Th...
Aluminum, Brass
Hermès Saddle Leather Shaving Case, 1950s France
By Hermès
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome saddle leather case by French fashion house, Hermes. Made in the 1950s. H metal buckles flank each side of the case. Case opens up to reveal 'HERMES - MADE IN PARIS' on leather. Inside there is a large grouping of shaving/toiletry items. Leather folding mirror with tons of patina, that stands up on its own. Stamped 'Hermes' in gold. Leather folding pouch that can hold tweezers, scissors, a comb also stamped Hermes. Ebony brush stamped Hermes - Paris. Metal box with removable lid, stamped Hermes. Bottle with twist off cap, Stamped Hermes Compartment with leather lid, holds a razor, and a small tin...
Chrome
1960s Mid-Century Leather Travel Case with Vanity/Grooming Set by Hermés, France
By Hermès
Located in North Miami, FL
1960s Mid-Century Modern leather travel case with vanity/grooming set by the luxury brand Hermès Paris, France By: Hermès Paris Material: metal, leather, wood Technique: carved, cast molded, metalwork Dimensions: 11 in x 14.5 in x 2.5 in Date: mid-20th century, circa 1960 Style: Mid-Century Modern, Space Age Place of origin: France A mid-20th century leather travel case designed by Hermès Paris, embodying the sophistication and functionality characteristic of the brand’s legacy. This finely crafted piece is covered in tan leather, featuring a textured finish that accentuates its timeless appeal. Its secure metal latches and sturdy leather handle combine elegance with practical design, ensuring both portability and durability. Inside, the case contains a meticulously curated grooming set. The set includes two metal screw-top bottles, two wooden brushes with boar bristles, and an additional metal box, all of which bear the Hermès stamp...
Metal
Malle Goyard Shoe trunk early 20th century
By Goyard
Located in Walnut Creek, CA
Malle Goyard shoe trunk, early 20th century, done in the chevron logo canvas and trimmed in leather. This shoe trunk measures 25 1/2" long by 14 1/2" wide by 14 1/2" tall. The trun...
Wood
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3652 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #3652 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Each pie...
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4100 Patinated Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4100 patinated brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated brass. Each piece...
Brass
$1,020 / set
H 4 in W 2.25 in D 3.5 in
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3530 'Flatiron' Patinated Brass and Cane Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3530 'Flatiron' Patinated Brass and Cane Bookends Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated...
Brass
Tibetan Leather Painted Trunk
Located in Austin, TX
A charming Tibetan painted leather storage trunk, 18th century, Tibet. Of smaller size, the softwood construction of the trunk covered by a richly tanned yak leather. The central p...
Wrought Iron
Art Deco Stylized Wood Sculptures of Horse Bust Bookends
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Art Deco style wood stylized horse head sculptures bookends. Great to use on a desk as a paper weight or decorative objects around the house or office. Art Deco stylized hors...
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Sailboat Bookends, Powder-Coated White
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Powder-Coated Creamy White Set of Mid-Century Sailboat Bookends Substantial in size and weight, these solid vintage brass newly powder-coated boats are both form and function. Fabu...
Brass
$1,965 / set
H 9.45 in W 4.53 in D 2.37 in
Art Deco bookends PEGASUS by G.H. Laurent France 1930, winged horses.
By Georges H. Laurent
Located in Antwerp, BE
Discover these original Art Deco sculptures, a pair of exquisite Pegasus winged horse bookends by G.H. Laurent for Max Le Verrier (ca. 1930). Crafted in art metal with a green patina...
Metal
$650 / set
H 8.75 in W 4 in D 5 in
Art Deco Gilt Metal Bookends by Ronson Oriental Sculptures Circa 1930
By Ronson Art Metal Works
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Rare Gilt Art Deco Bookends by Ronson Art Metal Works – Chinese Children, circa 1920s–1930s An exceptional and rare pair of Art Deco bookends by Ronson Art Metal Works, New York City...
Metal
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3848 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #3848 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in polished brass. Each piece bears the ...
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4635 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4635 Brass Bookends Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Each piec...
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3651 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #3651 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Each pi...
Brass
Hermes Birkin 55cm HAC, 1990s France
By Hermès
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous, authentic Hermes 55cm HAC Birkin. Dark brown leather with vintage brass hardware, dual-belt turnstile lock closure. Above the closure is a monogr...
Brass
Hermes Paris Leather Suitcase c.1930
By Hermès
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An original leather suitcase by Hermès with brass locks, cotton interior and leather straps. Original leather handle and leather name tag. Locks are stamped "Hermes Paris". Fi...
Brass
Rare Vintage HERMES Leather Suitcase
By Hermès
Located in Victoria, BC
Here is a beautiful and Rare Vintage Hermes Leather Suitcase. This handsome piece of luggage is in overall good condition for its age with wear...
Leather
Sold
H 5 in W 17.5 in D 13.38 in
Hermès Rare Vintage Black Leather Briefcase Expandable with Straps, Original Key
By Hermès
Located in Highwood, IL
Hermès Vintage Leather Briefcase that expands with the assistance of a Pair of Leather Straps. We tried very hard to research this incredible...
Brass
Hermes Paris Orange Leather Handmade Bespoke Polo G.L. Saddle, France
By Hermès
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Hermes Paris Orange Leather Handmade Bespoke Saddle, France, labelled, with tags. Orange leather 'Polo G.L.' saddle with a mono flap, two D-rings, ...
Leather
Vintage Leather Briefcase By Hermes, Paris, с.1950
By Hermès
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A very elegant briefcase by Hermes made around the middle of the 20th century. The detail is exquisite, having cantilever brass clasps to either side, the characteristic Hermes lock ...
Brass
Hermes Tricolor Kelly Bag
By Hermès
Located in Munich, DE
1992 Rare Tricolor 32 Kelly Bag in stunning colours. The box calf is in very Good condition.
Leather
20th Century Hermes Leather Suitcase, Paris, c.1900
By Hermès
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A very rare Hermes suitcase in natural pig skin hide covering, brass locks and side latches, made in France at the beginning of the 20th century. A great addition to any collection a...
Brass
1950s Hermès Black Leather Toiletry Case
By Hermès
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Classic Hermes leather case made of calfskin and brass. Made in the 1950s. Clasps on both ends in the shape of an H in brass. Both clasps show an engraved Hermes Paris when opened. Leather case marked HERMES PARIS in gold. Originally a toiletry case for travel. 3 of the original brass pieces still present. A box with lid. A round pill box with lid. And a brass shoe brush...
Brass
Hermès Black Leather Umbrella
By Hermès
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning vintage Hermès umbrella with curved handle design and customized initials of previous owner. Incredible condition with no tears to fab...
Metal
Hermès Paris, Briefcase for Men in Leather, 20th Century
By Hermès
Located in Beaune, FR
Briefcase or dispatch bag for men in cognac leather from the house of Hermès in Paris. Gold-plated metal trim and numbered and numbered inside "15. MA". It is complete and in good co...
Metal
20th Century Hermes Canvas & Leather Suitcase, Paris, c.1910
By Hermès
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A very rare Hermes suitcase in canvas covering, leather reinforced edging with brass locks and side latches, made in France in the early part of the 20th century. A great addition to...
Brass
Epsom is a stamped or embossed calf leather (as opposed to being a grained leather like Togo or Clemence, or a smooth leather like Swift or Box). It is lightweight and stiff; thus Epsom is known for its ability to retain structure over time. Epsom is the primary leather used to make Sellier Kelly and Birkin bags which feature outside stitching on its edges which result in a crisp and sharp line. Epsom is more rain-resistant than other calf leathers.
Select Hermes goods go on sale twice a year in Paris, but Birkins – being highly coveted–are not known to be found at the sale.