Canny bidder bags small wonders

A set of eight miniature bags made by the French fashion giant Hermès sold for HK$2.5 million at a record-breaking auction at Christie’s Hong Kong. The bespoke collection features miniatures of full-size handbags in the range, notably many of the brand’s most iconic and classic models. The Roulis, Kelly, Toolbox, Farming, Faco, Constace, Bolide and the world-famous Birkin were all represented.

The elegant collection is collectively known as the “Leather Forever Japan Star Bags” and – prior to the auction – were on display at Tokyo’s National Museum for Hermès as part of the Leather Forever exhibition in 2014. Dubbed the “ultimate gift for any bag lover,” each model is created in a 15cm version of the brand’s iconic larger counterparts. Made using the finest skins, each bag is finished in a bold, pop-out hue, including cherry red and candy pink.

The rest of the auction was also a resounding success with the final tally totalling around the HK$41 million mark. Matthew Rubinger, a Christie’s senior vice-president, put it down to the quality of the lots “that appealed to both new buyers and established collectors,” adding that “the strong sell-through rates were generated from active in-room, phone and online bidding, predominantly by Asian buyers.”