1960s Vintage Judith Leiber Art Nouveau Silver Metal Embossed Evening Shoulder Bag

Description

Judith Leiber's ideas for her bags come from a variety of sources. Arguably, little is invented ex nihilo in Leiber's … more Judith Leiber's ideas for her bags come from a variety of sources. Arguably, little is invented ex nihilo in Leiber's work, but is instead understood and applied from other arts. She acknowledges her love of finding objects in museums and even the objects in paintings that lend themselves to her imaginative formation as the handbag, realizing the capability of an object to serve as a container. This gorgeous Minaudiere was inspired by an Ottoman/Greek Palaska gun powder cartridge box, a military accessory used in the 18th - 19th century. (last photo shown here for reference only)

Her minaudiere designs cover all the major art movements. This gorgeous Leiber minaudiere from 1969 was inspired by the Art Nouveau* art movement.

Silver-tone metal
All-over embossed floral motifs
Border of arches filled with detailed intricate linear designs and flowing curves of birds, flowers plants and leaves - highlighting the “Art Nouveau” style. Creating a fusion between structure and ornament.
Flat shoulder chain
Metal Tassels at side
Lined in signature silver lame leather
Interior wall signature Leiber tag
Ornate clasp plate
Made in Italy
* Art Nouveau: The distinguishing ornamental characteristic of Art Nouveau is its undulating, asymmetrical line, often taking the form of flower stalks and buds, vine tendrils, insect wings, and other delicate and sinuous natural objects; the line may be elegant and graceful or infused with a powerfully rhythmic and whip like force.

After 1910 Art Nouveau appeared old-fashioned and limited and was generally abandoned as a distinct decorative style. In the 1960s, however, the style was rehabilitated, in part, by major exhibitions organized at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1959. The exhibition elevated the status of the movement, which had often been viewed by critics as a passing trend, to the level of other major Modern art movements of the late 19th century. In the popular domain, the flowery organic lines of Art Nouveau were revived as a new psychedelic style in fashion. It was at this time that Judith Leiber was slowly graduating from her skin and fabric bags to metal form minaudieres. She combined the Art Nouveau style into her metal forms in this minaudiere.

Style Notes: Carry this minaudiere as an evening bag with a classic black shift dress, black s less