1940s Hermès Dupré-Lafon Flip Top Cigarette Box
About the Item
- Creator:Hermès (Maker)
- Attributed to:Paul Dupré-Lafon (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 1.78 in (4.5 cm)Width: 6.3 in (16 cm)Depth: 4.53 in (11.5 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1940
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading.
- Seller Location:Hong Kong, HK
- Reference Number:
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: Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- 1950s Hermès Dupré-Lafon Leather Cigars and Cigarettes BoxBy Paul Dupré-Lafon, HermèsLocated in Hong Kong, HKRare 1950s Hermès cigars and cigarettes box, designed by Paul Dupré-Lafon (1900-1971) Stamped Hermès/ Paris underneath Black leather A beautiful box to...Category
Mid-20th Century French Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- 1950s Hermès Dupré-Lafon Ashtray Small PortholeBy Paul Dupré-Lafon, HermèsLocated in Hong Kong, HKRare 1950s Hermès ashtray in the shape of a small porthole, designed by Paul Dupré-Lafon (1900-1971) Stamped Hermès/ Paris underneath Dark Blue/ Black leather Condition: The leat...Category
Mid-20th Century French Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsChrome
- 1960s Hermès Golf Cigarette BoxBy HermèsLocated in Hong Kong, HK1960s Hermès cigarette golf box (signed “Hermès Paris” at the bottom of the box) Half a golf ball is attached on the top of the lid, “Hermès Paris” is...Category
Vintage 1960s French Decorative Boxes
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- 1960s Hermès Horseshoe Cigarette BoxBy HermèsLocated in Hong Kong, HK1960s Hermès Cigarette Horseshoe Box (signed “Hermès Paris” at the bottom of the box) A Horseshoe in Brass is attached on the top of the lid The insi...Category
Vintage 1960s French Decorative Boxes
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- 1960’s Hermès Bullet BoxBy HermèsLocated in Hong Kong, HK1960’s Hermès Bullet Box (signed “Hermès Paris” at the bottom of the box) Half a Bullet in Brass is attached on the top of the lid The inside of ...Category
Vintage 1960s French Decorative Boxes
MaterialsMetal
- 1920s Cartier, London Jade BoxBy CartierLocated in Hong Kong, HKRare Cartier (London) Black Enamelled Box with a Jade Piece on the Lid. The Jade is slightly engraved with what seems to be a Natural theme (Trees,...Category
Early 20th Century European Decorative Boxes
MaterialsJade, Metal, Enamel
- Hermès Box by Paul Dupré-Lafon, France 1930-1940By HermèsLocated in Delft, NLHermès Box by Paul Dupré-Lafon, France 1930-1940 French Box by Paul Dupré-Lafon for Hermès Paris, 1930-1940 Paul Dupré-Lafon (1900-1971) Hermès Paris lidded box with leather in cogn...Category
20th Century French Decorative Boxes
MaterialsLeather
- 1950's Stitched Leather boxe by Paul Dupré-Lafon For HermèsBy HermèsLocated in Bois-Colombes, FR1950's Stitched leather boxe by Paul Dupré-Lafon for Hermès Good original vintage conditionCategory
Vintage 1950s French Decorative Boxes
MaterialsLeather
- Aldo Tura Goat Skin, Brass and Wood Italian Pipe Shaped Tobacco Box, 1940sBy Aldo Tura, MacaboLocated in Roma, ITAmazing midcentury tobacco box in goatskin, brass and wood with the shape of a pipe. This fantastic item was designed by Aldo Tura in Cusano Milanino Italy for Macabo during the 1940...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsBrass
- English Victorian Modern Smoking Box for Cigars and CigarettesLocated in New York, NYEnglish Victorian Modern sterling silver smoking box 1885. Rectangular with straight sides. Scroll-bracket handle mounted to central panel between two hing...Category
Antique 1880s English Victorian Cigar Boxes and Humidors
MaterialsSterling Silver, Enamel
- Midcentury Sailor Scottish Terrier Drinking Beer Cigarette Box, 1950sLocated in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FRMidcentury sailor Scottish terrier drinking beer cigarette box, France, 1950s. Wood, metal and synthetic. Glass eyes. Measures: Height 8.2" (20.8cm), width 9" (22.9cm), depth 5.3" (1...Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Cigar Boxes and Humidors
MaterialsMetal
- Auböck Cigarette Box, Ash Wood and Nickel Plated Brass, 1930sBy Werkstätte Carl AuböckLocated in Vienna, ATAubock cigarette box, made of ash wood and nickel plated brass, openable from both sides. Adorable early Art Deco box, by the famous Bauhaus Architekt...Category
Vintage 1930s Austrian Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsBrass, Nickel
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.