Perfectly timed for Christmas gifting, on 17 November Bonhams will host The Art of Luxury: Hermès, the auction house’s first sale dedicated to the craftsmanship of the leading luxury brand. Featuring 83 lots which include bags, homeware, jewellery and timepieces, the sale takes place at Bonhams’ Knightsbridge saleroom – with bidding open now.
Leading the landmark auction is an exceptional Hermès matte white Himalaya Niloticus crocodile Birkin 30, regarded as the Holy Grail for Hermès collectors. ‘Himalaya’ describes the delicate graduation of the colour, smoky grey fading to pearly white, designed to resemble the snow-capped mountain range. The striking matte white bag was manufactured in limited numbers – this one is c.2014 – using Niloticus hide and featuring palladium hardware. Accompanied by padlock, keys, cloche, dustbag and box, this lot has an estimate of £80,000-120,000.
Other highlights include:
- A Hermès black Porosus crocodile diamond Birkin 35, c.2008, one of the most prized Birkin models. The bag features 18 carat white gold hardware inlaid with pavé diamonds, and has an estimate of £80,000-120,000;
- A Hermès matte black Niloticus crocodile ‘So Black’ Kelly 32, c.2010, with black hardware. The ‘So Black’ collection was one of the last collections created by Jean Paul Gaultier, and both the ‘So Black’ Birkin and Kellys were produced in limited quantities. Estimate £65,000-85,000;
- Hermès Ombré shiny Lizard Constance 18 with gold hardware, c.2021. The Constance 18 bag features distinctive white rings of the skin on a grey background which fades to white arches, with the bag being buffed so that it becomes shiny with a jewel-like finish. Estimate £25,000-30,000.
- Hermès menthe Chevre leather Mini Kelly II 20 with palladium hardware, c.2022. Compact in size, the Mini Kelly II 20 is the most coveted handbag, the truncated trapezoid silhouette fitting all essentials which maintaining its petite dimensions. This colourful Mini is intense green and comes with a shoulder strap, so that the bag can be worn crossbody. Estimate £10,000-20,000.
Other notable lots from the world of Hermès include:
- A Hermès brown and black Swift leather Boom Box Vinyl record player, c.2018. Fusing tech innovation with style and traditional craftsmanship, the portable Boom Box spins vinyl on a vertical turntable hidden within a stylish black Swift leather cover with brushed silver hardware. The lot is accompanied with the original instruction manual and box and has an estimate of £6,000-8,000.
- Hermès Eclipse H cuff bracelet in sterling silver, stamped 925. The Eclipse H cuff bracelet is one of the luxury brand’s most coveted pieces. Offered with an estimate of £500-800.
- Hermès Cape Cod Tonneau wristwatch, originally launched in 1991. Featuring the silhouette of a square within a rectangular watch case, the design has become one the Maison’s enduring heritage pieces. The watch on offer features a quartz movement, opaline silvered dial with double tour strap in Etoupe Swift leather, c.2011. Estimate £600-800.
Meg Randell, Bonhams Head of Designer Bags & Fashion, UK, said:
“Hermès has long been known as the name behind the world’s most coveted handbags. Since 1837, Hermès artisans have designed some of the most iconic handbags, such as the Kelly and the Birkin, whose elegant designs stand the test of time and garner intense interest at auction. Following the success of Hermès pieces in our most recent Designer Handbag and Fashion auction, it seems only right to dedicate an entire sale to this incredible brand. We are particularly honoured to be offering a Hermès Himalaya Birkin 30, for the first time at Bonhams.”
The Art of Luxury: Hermès takes place at Bonhams Knightsbridge saleroom on 17 November. The auction is now open for bidding. For further information: bonhams.com/theartofluxuryhermes
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Image:
Hermès: an Exceptional Matte White Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile Birkin 30, 2014, Palladium hardware
Photo courtesy of Bonhams