Hermès Brown Leather Tote
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Height: 15 in (38.1 cm)
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:San Francisco, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU39428221322
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: San Francisco, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- 1920s Grey Beaded Beggar BagLocated in San Francisco, CA1920s Grey Beaded Beggar Bag H 7Category
1920s Unknown Tote Bags
- 1930s/1940s Brown Cordé Purse with Brass HardwareLocated in San Francisco, CALate 1930s to early 1940s brown Art Deco cordé purse with brass hardware frame and extra-wide arm handle. The bag is lined with brown twill and and has two pockets.Category
1930s Top Handle Bags
- 1950s Black and White Polka Dots Leatherette Purse with Matching BeltLocated in San Francisco, CA1950s Black and white polka dot leatherette purse with brass hardware and black lining with two interior pockets. The belt is original however is in useable shape but the interior is...Category
1950s Top Handle Bags
- 1940s Black Twill Purse with Decorative Brass HardwareBy Morris MoskowitzLocated in San Francisco, CA1940s Black twill purse with a decorative brass closure, gathered body toped with decorative frame. The interior of the purse is made of a black lining with several pocket and one of...Category
1940s Top Handle Bags
- 1930s Black Twill Quilted Trapunto Handbag with Lucite ClosureLocated in San Francisco, CA1930s Quilted trapunto hand bag made of a black twill frame made of a brass. The top of the frame is finished with a clear Art Deco closure and extra wide handles. The interior is li...Category
1930s Top Handle Bags
- 1930s Black Art Deco Twill Evening Handbag with Lucite ClosuresLocated in San Francisco, CA1930s black twill evening hand bag with Art Deco carved lucite closure and pull tab. The body of the purse is lined in black twill and has a built-in coin purse. The entire bag is fi...Category
1930s Top Handle Bags
- Chanel Vintage Caviar Black Leather Grand Shopping Tote LargeBy ChanelLocated in Montreal, QuebecChanel large shopping tote bag. Caviar black leather. Leather and chain shoulder strap. Snap closure. Front and back full length pockets. La...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Tote Bags
- Fendi Monogram FF Zucca Silver Shopper Tote Bag 105f9By FendiLocated in Dix hills, NYDate Code/Serial Number: 2305/8BH179/VWN/078 Made In: Italy Measurements: Length: 15" Width: 5" Height: 9.5" Shoulder Handle Drop: 7.5" OVERALL GOOD CONDITION ( 7/10 or B ) Si...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Tote Bags
- Louis Vuitton Amarante Monogram Vernis Brea GM BagBy Louis VuittonLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Designer bags are ideal companions for ample occasions! Here we have a fashion-meets-functionality piece crafted with precision. It has been equipped with a well-sized interior that ...Category
2010s Italian Tote Bags
- Tod's Double T Black Silver Smooth Leather Tote Ladies Bag XBWAMUU0200PUP-B999Located in New York, NYComes without a Dust bag. 100% Leather Lining: 100% Alcantara Silver-tone Hardware. Zipper Closure. Detachable Strap With Dustbag for Strap. Double Handle. Side Snap Closures. 9.25 ...Category
2010s American Tote Bags
- Yves Saint Laurent Large "Horn" Handle Black Calfskin HandbagBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in New York, NYYves Saint Laurent detailed black calfskin handbag features a large "Horn" with silver hardware handle. This handbag is accented througho...Category
1990s Italian Tote Bags
- Chanel Timeless Shopping XL Transparent Vintage See Through Dark Navy Blue ToteBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Transparent Clear Vintage PVC See Through XL Tote Shopping Tote Year: 1990's {VINTAGE 25+ Years} Gold hardware Dark navy blue diamond quilted calf...Category
1990s French Tote Bags
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.