Handbag Sells for $222,912 at Christie’s in Hong Kong

An Exceptional Shiny Fuchsia Porosus Crocodile Diamond Birkin 35 with 18k White Gold & Diamond Hardware, Hermès, 2014 handbag. Sold for $222,912. Image courtesy of Christie’s Image Ltd

ART AUCTION

Designer Handbag with diamond and gold tops Christie’s Handbags & Accessories auction

BY KAZAD

HONG KONG – An exceptional designer handbag more expensive than an average home in the United States has sold at Christie’s second Handbags & Accessories auction in Hong Kong. The handbag, a shiny Fuchsia Porosus Crocodile Diamond Birkin 35 with 18K White Gold & Diamond Hardware, Hermès, 2014 realized $222,912 (HK$1,720,000/£146,716/€204,852). With the sale, the handbag set a world auction record for a handbag.

The Shiny Fuchsia Porosus Crocodile Diamond Birkin 35 with 18K White Gold & Diamond Hardware, Hermès was not the only designer handbag that enthralled enthusiastic designer handbag collectors that packed the auction room in Hong Kong. A Matte White Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile Birkin 30 with Palladium Hardware, Hermès, 2014, set the crowd into a frenzy when it came to the floor. Estimated at HK$ 500,000-600,000, the handbag sold to an Asian buyer for $160,704 (HK$1,240,000/£105,772/€147,684).

Christie’s presented 366 of the world’s most coveted handbags during the its second Handbags & Accessories auction in Hong Kong. 333 lots sold, archiving a total of $5,985,495 (HK$46,284,375/ £3,939,527/ €5,500,559). More than 75% of the lots on offer achieved prices exceeding their high estimates, while 91% sold by lot. 92% sold by value.

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One of the designer handbags that kept collectors animated in the fast-paced bidding was another exceptional handbag by Sellier Kelly. Estimated at HK$ 800,000-1,000,000, the Shiny Black Porosus Crocodile Diamond Sellier Kelly 32 with 18k White Gold & Diamond Hardware, Hermès, 2008 realized $145,152 (HK$1,120,000/95,536/€133,392), setting a world auction record for a Hermès Kelly bag.

The record achieved by designer handbags at Christie’s second Handbags & Accessories auction in Hong Kong shows growing interest in designer handbags. With the record achieved by a shiny Fuchsia Porosus Crocodile Diamond Birkin 35 with 18K White Gold & Diamond Hardware, Hermès handbag, Christie’s has laid the foundation for the third edition.

Below are the top ten designer handbags that made great impression at the Christie’s second Handbags & Accessories auction in Hong Kong. All sold prices include buyer’s premium.

1. Lot 3664. An Exceptional Shiny Fuchsia Porosus Crocodile Diamond Birkin 35 With 18k White Gold & Diamond Hardware, Hermès, 2014. World auction record for a handbag. Estimate: HK$ 1,000,000-1,500,000. Price Realized: HK$1,720,000/ US$222,912/£146,716/€204,852. Buyer: Asian Private.

2. Lot 3865. A Matte White Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile Birkin 30 With Palladium Hardware, Hermès, 2014. Estimate: HK$ 500,000-600,000. Price Realized: HK$1,240,000/US$160,704/£105,772/€147,684. Buyer: Asian Private.

3. Lot 3935. An Exceptional Shiny Black Porosus Crocodile Diamond Sellier Kelly 32 With 18k White Gold & Diamond Hardware, Hermès, 2008. World auction record for a Hermès Kelly bag. Estimate: HK$ 800,000-1,000,000. Price Realized: HK$1,120,000/ US$145,152/£95,536/€133,392. Buyer: Asian Private.

4. Lot 3866 . A Matte White Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile Birkin 25 With Palladium Hardware, Hermès, 2014. Estimate: HK$ 400,000-500,000. Price Realized: HK$937,500/US$121,500/£79,969/€111,656. Buyer: Asian Private.

5. Lot 3757. A Shiny Vert Émeraude Niloticus Crocodile Birkin 30 With Palladium Hardware, Hermès, 2014. Estimate: HK$300,000-350,000. Price Realized: HK$887,500/US$115,020/£75,704/€105,701. Buyer: Asian Private.

6. Lot 3732. A Shiny Bleu Brighton Niloticus Crocodile Birkin 30 With Palladium Hardware, Hermès, 2010. Estimate: HK$300,000-350,000. Price Realized: HK$775,000/US$100,440/£66,108/€92,303. Buyer: Asian Private.

7. Lot 3785. An Orange Gulliver Leather Quelle Idole With Palladium Hardware, Taipei Limited Edition, Hermès, 2009. Estimate: 20,000-30,000. Price Realized: HK$750,000/US$97,200/£63,975/€89,325. Buyer: Asian Private.

8. Lot 3601. A Custom Shiny Bordeaux & Bleu Marine Niloticus Crocodile Bi-Color Birkin 25 With Palladium Hardware, Hermès, 2014. Estimate: HK$ 250,000-300,000. Price Realized: HK$687,500/US$89,100/£58,644/ €81,881. Buyer: Asian Private.

9. Lot 3853. A Rare Shiny Ombre Salvator Lizard Birkin 25 With Palladium Hardware, Hermès, 2007. Estimate: HK$150,000-200,000. Price Realized: HK$687,500/US$89,100/£58,644/€81,881. Buyer: Asian Private.

10. Lot 3936. A Shiny Black Niloticus Crocodile Sellier Kelly 28 With Palladium Hardware, Hermès, 2014. Estimate: HK$ 200,000-250,000. Price Realized: HK$687,500/US$89,100/£58,644/€81,881. Buyer: Asian Private

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