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Handbags & Purses

For as long as there has been a need to carry things, there have been bags to facilitate carrying. But bags have moved beyond pure utility and into highly sought-after fashion. Designer brand bags in particular have upped the ante with finely crafted handbags and purses.

Whether at retail or auction, shoppers will find a dizzying array of available purses and handbags. Popular designer carryalls found at auction provide quality and style at reasonable prices, including Coach bags, Tory Burch bags, and Kate Spade bags. Then there are higher-end options such as Marc Jacobs handbags, created by the namesake designer who honed his skills at Louis Vuitton. For those in the market for something other than the usual suspects, new and up-and-coming designers may fit the bill.

In their countless incarnations, designer bags continue to have lofty status as accessories at the epicenter of the luxury fashion world. Rare, limited edition, and vintage handbags are often competitively bid on when they come up for auction.


Quick Facts

  • The most expensive designer handbag ever sold at auction was a fuchsia-colored crocodile skin Hermès Birkin bag with diamond-studded gold hardware. It sold at Christie’s in Hong Kong in June 2015 for a record $221,846
  • In October 2015, an Italian-made Marc Jacobs Victoria style blue calfskin leather hobo shoulder bag with multi-tiered fringe sold on eBay for $1,125
  • At a 2012 Heritage auction, a rare Louis Vuitton Art Deco-style top-handle bag in navy blue Lucite sold for $325

Recommended Items at Auction

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Mandalian Enamel Mesh Purse with Jeweled Frame, 5 1/4 x 8 1/2 in. (13.3 x 21.6 cm.)
May 04, 5:00 PM CDT
Mandalian Enamel Mesh Purse with Jeweled Frame, 5 1/4 x 8 1/2 in. (13.3 x 21.6 cm.)
by Asselmeier May Auctions
Est: $200- $300
$1309 Bids
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Leather Zipper Cross Body Bag, New
Apr 30, 6:00 PM EDT
Leather Zipper Cross Body Bag, New
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$178 Bids
Porta moedas em malha de prata portuguesa, séc. XIX, final do séc. XIX, P.: 49,2 g.
May 05, 7:00 PM WEST
Porta moedas em malha de prata portuguesa, séc. XIX, final do séc. XIX, P.: 49,2 g.
by Palácio do Correio Velho
Est: €20- €40
€507 Bids
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Mandalian Leaping Deer motif Enamel Mesh Purse, 5 x 8 in. (12.7 x 20.3 cm.)
May 04, 5:00 PM CDT
Mandalian Leaping Deer motif Enamel Mesh Purse, 5 x 8 in. (12.7 x 20.3 cm.)
by Asselmeier May Auctions
Est: $250- $400
$1306 Bids
A Collection of Suit Bags & Compression Cubes
May 03, 10:00 AM AEST
A Collection of Suit Bags & Compression Cubes
by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Est: AUD0- AUD0
AUD255 Bids
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Whiting and Davis Soldered Mesh Floral Bag with Original Hang Tag, 7 x 8 in. (17.8 x 20.3 cm.)
May 04, 5:00 PM CDT
Whiting and Davis Soldered Mesh Floral Bag with Original Hang Tag, 7 x 8 in. (17.8 x 20.3 cm.)
by Asselmeier May Auctions
Est: $200- $300
$805 Bids
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Vintage 1920 Mandolin Enameled Mesh Evening Bag
May 01, 6:00 PM EDT
Vintage 1920 Mandolin Enameled Mesh Evening Bag
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$265 Bids
Asprey London, a white Ostrich envelope clutch bag
May 02, 10:30 AM BST
Asprey London, a white Ostrich envelope clutch bag
by Sloane Street Auctions
Est: £300- £500
£2004 Bids
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(4) Purses, Have Wear
Apr 30, 6:00 PM EDT
(4) Purses, Have Wear
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$64 Bids
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Enamel Mesh Bag with Rare Design Stylized Bird and Unusual Frame, 4 1/4 x 8 in. (10.8 x 20.3 cm.)
May 04, 5:00 PM CDT
Enamel Mesh Bag with Rare Design Stylized Bird and Unusual Frame, 4 1/4 x 8 in. (10.8 x 20.3 cm.)
by Asselmeier May Auctions
Est: $300- $400
$904 Bids
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Mandalian Enamel Mesh Bag with Vase Motif, 3 1/2 x 7 in. (8.9 x 17.8 cm.)
May 04, 5:00 PM CDT
Mandalian Enamel Mesh Bag with Vase Motif, 3 1/2 x 7 in. (8.9 x 17.8 cm.)
by Asselmeier May Auctions
Est: $250- $350
$704 Bids
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Whiting & Davis Floral Mesh Bag with Jeweled and Enamel Frame, 4 x 7 1/2 in. (10.2 x 19.1 cm.)
May 04, 5:00 PM CDT
Whiting & Davis Floral Mesh Bag with Jeweled and Enamel Frame, 4 x 7 1/2 in. (10.2 x 19.1 cm.)
by Asselmeier May Auctions
Est: $200- $300
$603 Bids
Coach, America: Navy 'Kitt Carryall' Handbag, Crossgrain Leather, Gold Tone Hardware, Snap Closure, Fabric Interior
May 14, 6:00 PM AEST
Coach, America: Navy 'Kitt Carryall' Handbag, Crossgrain Leather, Gold Tone Hardware, Snap Closure, Fabric Interior
by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Est: AUD200- AUD300
AUD1403 Bids
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Enamel Mesh Purse with Unusual Fold Out Frame, 5 x 8 3/4 in. (12.7 x 22.2 cm.)
May 04, 5:00 PM CDT
Enamel Mesh Purse with Unusual Fold Out Frame, 5 x 8 3/4 in. (12.7 x 22.2 cm.)
by Asselmeier May Auctions
Est: $250- $350
$803 Bids
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Fantastic Small Sterling Silver Evening Theater Purse
May 11, 6:00 PM EDT
Fantastic Small Sterling Silver Evening Theater Purse
by Diederich Auction Gallery
Est: $0- $0
$353 Bids
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Mandalian Enamel Mesh Bag with Bead Detail, 4 1/2 x 9 3/4 in. (11.4 x 24.8 cm.)
May 04, 5:00 PM CDT
Mandalian Enamel Mesh Bag with Bead Detail, 4 1/2 x 9 3/4 in. (11.4 x 24.8 cm.)
by Asselmeier May Auctions
Est: $200- $300
$503 Bids
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(3) Purses, Have Wear
Apr 30, 6:00 PM EDT
(3) Purses, Have Wear
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$53 Bids
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Large 12" Victorian Floral Beaded Bag with Jeweled Frame, Circa 1880-1910 7 x 12 in. (17.8 x 30.5 cm.)
May 04, 5:00 PM CDT
Large 12" Victorian Floral Beaded Bag with Jeweled Frame, Circa 1880-1910 7 x 12 in. (17.8 x 30.5 cm.)
by Asselmeier May Auctions
Est: $300- $500
$903 Bids
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Summer Time Bags and Purses
May 01, 6:00 PM EDT
Summer Time Bags and Purses
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$53 Bids
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Large 13 in. Beaded Classical Scene Purse with Jeweled Frame, 7 1/2 x 13 in. (19.1 x 33 cm.)
May 04, 5:00 PM CDT
Large 13 in. Beaded Classical Scene Purse with Jeweled Frame, 7 1/2 x 13 in. (19.1 x 33 cm.)
by Asselmeier May Auctions
Est: $300- $600
$703 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Handbags & Purses


Apple Tree Auction Center

Apple Tree Auction Center

Veilinghuis Van Spengen

Veilinghuis Van Spengen

Roland Auctions NY

Roland Auctions NY