Evening Bag thumbnail 1
Evening Bag thumbnail 2
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Evening Bag

Artist/Maker
Place of origin

In the 1980s, handbags began to be advertised as vital accessories to complete a look, but with a confidence that demanded that they be seen in their own right. Some were luxury items, clearly destined to be collectibles rather than fashion statements.

This rhinestone encrusted 'Faberge Egg' evening bag with trademark mirror and tasseled comb is designed by Judith Leiber. Leiber is best known for her jewelled and idiosyncratic metal vanity vases. Each piece is jewelled by hand, and have become collector's items.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 7 parts.

  • Evening Bag
  • Coin Purse
  • Mirror
  • Comb
  • Drawstring Bag
  • Box
  • Box Lid
Materials and techniques
Rhinestone encrusted metal
Brief description
Minaudiere bag, crystal, metal, Judith Leiber, USA, 1983
Physical description
Minaudiere set consisting of a rhinestone encrusted metal 'Faberge Egg' evening bag with coin purse, mirror and tasseled comb.
Gallery label
Designer Judith Leiber created whimsical evening bags in a variety of forms, such as animals, fruit and, in this case, a Fabergé egg. Highly collectable, her bags were handcrafted and often encrusted with thousands of crystals. V&A, Room 40, Bags: Inside Out. (12/2020)
Credit line
Given by Judith Leiber
Object history
Minaudiere set consisting of an evening bag, coin purse, tasseled comb and mirror T.511:1 to 4-1997.
Summary
In the 1980s, handbags began to be advertised as vital accessories to complete a look, but with a confidence that demanded that they be seen in their own right. Some were luxury items, clearly destined to be collectibles rather than fashion statements.

This rhinestone encrusted 'Faberge Egg' evening bag with trademark mirror and tasseled comb is designed by Judith Leiber. Leiber is best known for her jewelled and idiosyncratic metal vanity vases. Each piece is jewelled by hand, and have become collector's items.
Collection
Accession number
T.511-1997

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Record createdJanuary 18, 2019
Record URL
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