Christie's - Numerous handbags offered with no reserve price - Iconic pieces from the Jean‑Paul Gaultier era at Hermès

2026-05-11

Christie's presents the online Handbags sale, which will take place from June 12 to 24. Featuring nearly 300 models, a wide range of estimates, and 130 lots offered with no reserve, this sale is particularly accessible and provides an excellent opportunity for both collectors and enthusiasts to acquire iconic pieces before the summer. The highlight of the sale, an iconic white Birkin 20 Faubourg, is offered with an estimate of €180,000 to €300,000 and an opening bid of €160,000.

Among the highlights, the sale places particular emphasis on two exceptional pieces from the late 1990s, which exemplify Hermès's experimentation with materials and metallic effects, and which we see featured in Leïla Menchari's magnificent display windows, inviting us to dream. A potentially one-of-a-kind piece and highly sought-after by collectors, this rare Birkin 40 in gold, silver and bronze goatskin is the perfect example of how light plays on the leather. The gold, silver and bronze create a striking interplay of light on this bag with its sculptural presence (€20,000–30,000). Blurring the lines between design, fashion and jewellery, and crafted entirely from solid silver, the Sterling Silver Mini Kelly is one of the rarest and most conceptual interpretations of Hermès' iconic Kelly bag. Under the artistic direction of Jean-Paul Gaultier, it was worn as a necklace at the Autumn/Winter 2005 fashion show (€60,000–€80,000).

Marked by the return of extravagance to fashion, the 2000s represent a pivotal period in the history of contemporary luxury handbags and are particularly well represented in the sale. With Quelle idole, Hermès lends its iconic bag anthropomorphic forms that celebrate both creative freedom and the House's legendary craftsmanship (€12,000–18,000). In 2022, this model was revisited and updated with the Kelly Doll Picto (€30,000–40,000). Emblematic of the exceptional creativity that John Galliano brought to the House of Dior, the sale presents a selection of Saddle Bags from the 2007 collection, each model inspired by a different culture. Layering colors, patterns, and materials, the China Saddle Bag and the India Saddle Bag offered here provide a perfect illustration of this creative expression (€1,500–2,000 for the pair, offered with no reserve).

More recent and equally sought after by collectors, several bags from Hermès' Picnic collection are presented in the sale. Among them, a Birkin Picnic (€30,000-35,000) and a limited‑edition Rouge De Cœur Swift Leather & Osier Mini Picnic Kelly (€30,000–35,000) stand out as highly sought-after accessories at the start of this summer. A Picnic Kelly 35, a model introduced in 2011 under the direction of Jean‑Paul Gaultier, reinvents the very elegance of the Hermès bag and is offered in the sale alongside more contemporary reinterpretations. Combined with meticulous leatherwork, wickerwork techniques (or basketry) breathe new life into and enrich the brand's craftsmanship and renew the Maison's savoir‑faire, making these pieces particularly highly sought after by collectors.

Finally, a true manifesto at the crossroads of craftsmanship, design, and artistic experimentation, Hermès' Kellywood 22 Perspective Cavalière (€45,000 – 45,000) transforms the iconic Kelly into a sculptural object. Produced in extremely limited quantities, this rare piece pushes the boundaries between accessory and work of art.

About Christie’s

Founded in 1766, Christie's is a world-leading art and luxury business with a physical presence in 46 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific, and flagship international sales hubs in New York, London, Hong Kong, Paris and Geneva. Renowned and trusted for our expert live and online-only auctions, as well as bespoke Private Sales, Christie's unparalleled network of specialists offers our clients a full portfolio of global services, including art appraisal, art financing, international real estate and education. Christie's auctions span more than 80 art and luxury categories, at price points ranging from $500 to over $100 million. Christie's has sold 6 of the 10 most important single-owner collections in history, achieved the world record price for an artwork at auction, launched the first fully on-chain auction platform dedicated to exceptional NFT art and manages an investment fund to support innovative startups in the art market. Christie's is also committed to advancing responsible culture throughout its business and communities worldwide. To learn more, browse, bid, discover, and join us for the best of art and luxury at christies.com or by downloading Christie's apps.