Rare Hermès Vintage Ashtray Change Tray Zebras in Porcelain
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Height: 1.58 in (4 cm)Width: 6.3 in (16 cm)Length: 7.8 in (19.8 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Porcelain
- Condition:
- Seller Location:FR
- 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: France
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Hermès Vintage Small Table Ashtray Culbuto in Black Leather RAREBy HermèsLocated in FRSuper Cute Authentic Hermès Ashtray The rounded bottom allows it not to fall, and the holes allow to hold the cigarettes Can be hung thanks to its handle Vintage Item Made of sm...Category
20th Century French Ashtrays
- Hermès Change Tray or Small Dish Noel au 24 Faubourg Christmas in PorcelainBy HermèsLocated in FRSuper Cute Authentic Hermès Change Tray Can be used as small dish From "Noël au 24 Faubourg" print Made in France in 2005 Made of printed porcelain Co...Category
Early 2000s French Ashtrays
- Rare Hermès Printed Porcelain Cigar Ashtray Change Tray Monkeys PrintBy HermèsLocated in FRAdorable and Rare Authentic Hermès Ashtray Pattern: 2 cute monkeys on a branch in a bamboo decor Made in France Made of Printed Porcelain Colorways: Pale Yellow Background, Brown...Category
20th Century French Ashtrays
- Exceptional Hermès Ashtray Change Tray Small Plate Horse's Head Silver RAREBy HermèsLocated in FRRare Authentic Hermès Tray Pattern: Horse's Head Rare Pattern, super cute ! Can be used as change tray, ashtray, small plate, or just to decor...Category
20th Century French Ashtrays
- Hermès Cigar Ashtray Change Tray Toucan Bird in PorcelainBy HermèsLocated in FRLovely Authentic Hermès Ashtray Print: Toucan Bird Made in France Vintage item Made of porcelain, edges gilded with fine gold, bottom covered with beige suede leather Colorways:...Category
20th Century French Ashtrays
- Hermès Ashtray Sobor Vasiliya Blazhennogo Saint Basil Cathedral Porcelain RussiaBy HermèsLocated in FRGorgeous and Rare Authentic Hermès Ashtray Print: Cathedral of Saint Basil the Blessed in Moscow Pattern: russian roofs From the ""Ballets Russes" (russian ballets) collection Ma...Category
Late 20th Century French Ashtrays
- Hermes Vintage White Porcelain Cornucopia Rectangular AshtrayBy HermèsLocated in Rome, RomeBeautiful vintage Hermes ashtray with multicolored Cornucopia design. White porcelain gold decorative border. Suede bottom. Marked with 'Hermes ...Category
20th Century French Ashtrays
- Hermès Horse Ledoux Porcelain AshtrayBy HermèsLocated in West Hollywood, CAHermès gold, red and white porcelain ashtray with horse design by Ledoux. Minor wear on back suede.Category
20th Century French Ashtrays
- Hermès White Green Water Lili AshtrayBy HermèsLocated in West Hollywood, CAHermès signature ashtray in white porcelain with a water lili design in white and green.Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Ashtrays
- Hermès Porcelain Komodor Dog AshtrayBy HermèsLocated in West Hollywood, CAHermès black and white porcelain ashtray with komodor breed dog design.Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Ashtrays
- Hermes Gold Horse Porcelain AshtrayBy HermèsLocated in West Hollywood, CAHermès porcelain ashtray with horse design. Made in France. Comes with original box.Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Ashtrays
- HERMÈS Garde-Robe Pop AshtrayBy HermèsLocated in London, GBHermès ashtray in porcelain with hand painted gold trim and velvet goatskin base Decorated using chromolithography "Hermes Paris" stamped base Made in France Dimensions: L 20 x W...Category
2010s Ashtrays
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.