Genuine - 50s/60s- Hand-Made Paris - Premium Quality - Jumbo Handbag
12"x14"x6.5"
This is a very rare find: A traditional style 'Jumbo' French, Hand-Made, Premium Quality Hand Bag - in amazingly good condition overall.
The size also makes it very useful if, for example, attending business meetings etc. - and could almost double as an over-night bag.
The large, still-shiny, polished & lacquered twist-catch works perfectly - and could be further augmented by a a similar vtg padlock. And the high-grade, thicker, grained hide, in a deep Tobacco is in exceptionally good condition - apart from a deep-ish aoeloe (circular darker mark) on the front of the bag (pics). However, in reality - due to the natural colour - it's not especially noticeable.
There is no cracking, scuffs or scratches on the bag - which remains supple and fresh feeling. And the interior is still clean, unmarked & odour-free. Clearly this bag has always been well cared for & apparently has only been used very sparingly throughout its life.
The bag further benefits from a zipped wallet pocket, x2 inner pouches - suitable for a phone and a full-length document folder.
Origins
Bought in a Paris Flea Market, one very early Sunday morning - Spring 2003. Which led to 2 separate visiting up-market vtg dealers attempting to gazump us - just as we were in the process of paying the trader. It wasn't cheap ...
And as the pictures indicate - this is an especially good example of what - in its day - would have been owned by a woman moving in affluent late 50s-60s Paris circles, And of the type that might have been photographed on the arm of an established film star or the celebrity wife of a 'VIP'.
However, for any label-followers out there - it might be best not to bother reading any further - as there's absolutely NONE.
Which despite its superior quality, is not so surprising - as this came from an era when mass-branding was still in its early days, and when quality & attention to detail was still regarded as - EVERYTHING ...
And at this time there were still a thriving layer of specialist workshops - especially in Paris - that still produced small ranges or one-off pieces, for both established patrons and independent, high-end, specialist retailers.
As is mentioned in our other ads, my wife worked for Hermes - Paris (London) for many years, and when she showed this to her colleagues in the bags & leather accessories dept. at their Paris HQ; they expressed great interest. And wondered themselves whether this may have had a connection to the Hermes of old.
The lining is certainly very close to what has become Hermes' signature orange. And my wife's close friend & colleague - trained to make a Hermes bag from scratch - has regularly expressed the view this bag is of equivalent quality to anything she has ever worked on in-house.
Height (main body): 31CM / 12" (with handles 17+")
Length: 36CM / 14"
Width/Depth: 17CM / 6.5"
Background
We've acquired quite a lot of vintage clothing, incl. High Street fashion, and household collectables over the last 20 years. And we're looking to slim things down, as we're intending to move in late 2024/25
Nothing being offered will be 'tired' or worn-out - be it vintage or otherwise
And in the case of my wife's items: she's worked in High-End Fashion Retail for 20 years & everything she owns has been worn very gently (if at all), maintained properly and kept carefully.
And, as we know the disappointment of receiving things that are not as presented, we'll be making every effort to describe things fully and honestly - whilst giving any guidance on sizing we can.
All items sent clean & ready to wear.