Yahoo Lifestyle A Private Collection of Nearly 200 Luxury Handbags Is Heading to Auction This Fall
Collectors will be in Hermès heaven at Christie’s this fall.
The auction house is offering up an exceptional assortment of the French maison’s purses in an online sale running from October to November 13. Fittingly titled Unlocking the Orange Dream, the auction will spotlight the holy grails of one devout European collector.
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The collection, which was meticulously amassed across more than two decades, includes nearly 200 luxury handbags. Brands and styles of all sorts are represented, though there is a strong emphasis on Hermès. Spanning the late 1990s to the 2000s, the lineup highlights the house’s creativity, craftsmanship, and collectibility. Coveted Birkin, Kelly, and Constance models will be up for grabs, along with rare limited editions and one-offs made from exotic materials.
The sale will, of course, be led by a Birkin. Named after English-French actress and singer Jane Birkin, this iconic leather tote was introduced in 1984 and is now considered the most popular luxury handbag. This specific Birkin is made from Nuage leather and features palladium hardware. It is expected to fetch between €60,000 and €80,000 (about $66,900 and $89,300) at the upcoming auction.
The sale will also include pieces created under the leadership of Jean Paul Gautier from 2003 to 2010, such as the chic So Black Kelly (estimate: $16,700 to $22,300), the sleek So Black Birkin (estimate: $22,300 to $33,400), and the elegant Shadow Birkin (estimate: $16,700 to $22,300). The latter is distinguished by a distinctive monochromatic design that makes it look as if the bag was etched from stone.
The auction even includes a Birkin Ghillies. One of the most coveted and elusive designs, the Ghillies stands out on account of a highly decorative trim. This specific limited edition is crafted from shiny and matte burgundy porosus crocodile (estimate: $33,400-$40,100). Other sale highlights include a Micro Mini Birkin and Kelly from the colorful Candy collection, a Birkin Touch with a “touch” of exotic skin, and a hardwearing Birkin Cargo.
It is worth noting that Birkins can’t be bought off of the shelf at a Hermès boutique. A sales associate has to offer a client the opportunity to acquire the bag. This particular collector must have forged quite a relationship with the house, then. To that point, the sale includes several exclusives and special orders, such as a Quelle Idole in orange Gulliver leather (estimate: $22,300-$29,000) and a limited-edition Kelly Doll in purple and lemon epsom nata leather (estimate: $22,300-$29,000).
Hermès heaven, indeed.
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