JUDITH LEIBER Black Lizard Skin & Rhinestone Evening Bag SHW
View Similar Items
JUDITH LEIBER Black Lizard Skin & Rhinestone Evening Bag SHW
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Period:
- Condition:Minor wearing throughout skin as well as a few small stains to lining.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: 8783-121stDibs: LU204791662
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.
- Louis Vuitton Monogram Petite Boite Chapeau Crossbody BagBy Louis VuittonLocated in New York, NYLouis Vuitton Monogram Petite Boite Chapeau Crossbody Bag Made In: France Color: Brown Hardware: Goldtone Materials: Coate...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- RARE Chanel Black Lambskin Leather Classic Cage Woven Chain Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in New York, NYChanel Black Lambskin Leather Classic Cage Woven Chain Flap Bag Made In: Year of Production: 2020 Color: Black Hardware: Goldtone Materials: Lambskin leather Lining: Burgundy Closur...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Black Lambskin Leather Quilted Medium Single Flap Diana BagBy ChanelLocated in New York, NYChanel Black Lambskin Leather Quilted Medium Single Flap Diana Bag Made In: France Color: Black Hardware: Goldtone Materials: Lambskin leather, metal Lining...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Brown Quilted 19 Wallet On Chain WOC Crossbody BagBy ChanelLocated in New York, NYChanel Brown Quilted 19 Wallet On Chain WOC Crossbody Bag Made In: Italy Year of Production: 2022 Color: Caramel brown Hardware: Goldtone, darkened silver, ruthenium Materials: Lamb...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Chanel Black Lambskin Quilted Valentine Charms Mini Rectangular Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in New York, NYChanel Black Lambskin Quilted Valentine Charms Mini Rectangular Flap Bag Made In: Italy Year of Production: 2014 Color: Black Hardware: Goldtone Mate...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Prada Black Tessuto Nylon Saffiano Wristlet BagBy PradaLocated in New York, NYPrada Black Tessuto Nylon Saffiano Wristlet Bag. Features detachable wrist strap Made In: Italy Color: Black Hardware: Silvertone Materials: Nylon Lining...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Pouches and Wristlets
- CHANEL Black Red Round Patent Gold Record Evening Clutch BagBy ChanelLocated in Chicago, ILPre-Owned Vintage Condition From 2004 Collection Patent Leather Leather Gold Hardware Measure 7” W x 7” H x 1” D Chain Drop 9” 100% Authenticity GuaranteedCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Clutches
$12,740 Sale Price20% Off - Special Bottega Veneta Metallic Weaved Leather and Snakeskin Fold Over ClutchBy Bottega VenetaLocated in Port Hope, ONThis a spectacular Bottega Veneta Leather Metallic Weave Fold Over Clutch with snakeskin braided strap and trim. The colors are gold and brown and hanging from the strap is a golden ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Clutches
- Gianni Versace Pink Jungle Print Convertible Evening Bag & ClutchBy Donatella Versace, Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAThis stunning, convertible Versace clutch is constructed in a silk pink jungle print. Front and center, a mirrored gold medusa plaque accents the snap closure. Donatella designed this convertible clutch for the Gianni Versace S/S 2000 collection and prominently featured versions of it in the season's runway and ad campaign with Amber Valletta. British Vogue featured this bag in a blue python variation in a 1999 editorial spread by Raymond Meier...Category
Early 2000s Italian Clutches
- NEW Gucci by Tom Ford 2004 Dragon Pearl Jeweled Mink Fur Purse ClutchBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in Switzerland, CHEXTREMELY RARE GUCCI BY TOM FORD GORGEOUS MINK FUR EVENING BAG WITH STUNNING JEWELED DRAGON DETAIL DETAILS: A GUCCI signature piece that will last you for many years From one of...Category
Early 2000s Italian Clutches
- Hermès Padlock Bag Clutch Purse Doblis Leather Purple and Golden Hdw RAREBy HermèsLocated in FRLovely and Rare Authentic Hermès Clutch Called "Padlock" due to the Padlock Shaped clasp Very rare ! A-line shape of the purse and asymmetrical cut of the flap for a chic and eleg...Category
1990s French Clutches
- Chanel Black Perspex Lucite Minaudiere Clutch / Chain Wristlet CollectorsBy ChanelLocated in Boca Raton, FLBlack lucite Chanel clutch with matte silver-tone hardware, chain and woven leather handle at side, interlocking CC at top, quilted motif throughout, single interior wall pocket and ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Clutches