Judith Leiber Monarch BUTTERFLY minaudiere VINTAGE RARE

  

RETIRED, RARE, DIFFICULT TO FIND. EXQUISITELY CRAFTED, FABULOUS DESIGN, ELEGANT STYLE, SOPHISTICATED.

BRIGHT CRYSTALS CREATE A SPARKLING DEPTH. ONE OF NATURE'S BEAUTIFUL CREATURES. Whether you wear it with a little black dress, any evening ensemble, or show off your daytime jeans!

This fabulous minaudiere with bright, sparkling crystals brings life and movement to Judith Leiber's magnificent image of Nature's grand Monarch Butterfly. Over the years Judith Leiber has brought many beautiful minaudieres to market in the shape of butterflies with fantasy colors.

The perfect gift for someone who loves Nature's beautiful butterflies. The perfect gift for any and every occasion, and t he perfect gift for yourself. Chain strap Drop: 20 inches. Gold-tone push lock in the shape of a butterfly's antennae is attached to the back/base of the minaudiere. The top of the minaudiere has a tiny extension that you gently lift as you apply light pressure to the push lock. Lock mechanism works easily and well. Detachable gold chain allows for an optional small crossbody or shoulder purse, or a clutch when chain is removed or tucked inside. And I put this minaudiere into a dust bag ideal for a small clutch. Austrian crystals are bright and sparkling, reflecting depth. I find no missing crystals. Gold-tone metal hardware is bright, shiny, and in good condition, with possibly a couple of very light, isolated scratches on inside gold-tone metal rim. Lock mechanism works easiy and well. See description of how to open this minaudiere in the above paragraph.

The gold metallic leather lining has slight rubbing on one side from the gold-tone metal chain when minaudiere was carried as a clutch. Several crystals have been replaced on the back of this minaudiere--one white crystal, and several gold and black crystals just to the right of the upper abdomen. Replaced crystals have been circled in enlarged photo of area. Since this is on the back, it does not show (unless you place the minaudiere upside down when put on a dinner table--upsetting everything inside the little purse). Replaced crystals have reduced my overall condition from Excellent to Good.

Any wear not noted above that can be found on this item will be miniscule, and due to years of being stored in its storage box. Judith Leiber with (C) (written) inscribed on a gold metal plaque inside the minaudiere. Judith Leiber (written) inscribed on the inside of the gold metal minaudiere frame.

Front and back sides of minaudiere are not flat, but have many elevations and depressions to make the wings appear lifelike. An area of light gold crystals on the back side, lower left wing, appears slightly darkened. These crystals are not dark but lie in areas of greater depression. When the minaudiere is turned so these crystals catch light, they are the same color as their surrounding crystals. Photographing the minaudiere straight on causes crystals to appear flat (like beads, not shiny or with depth). All crystals are bright and glitter, providing a lot of sparkle and depth. Figurines and clothing shown in photos are for illustration purposes only and are not part of this listing.

While I have been a Judith Leiber Collector for many years, I rarely wear any of them. All minaudieres for sale are retired, mostly vintage, no longer available on the retail market, rare and difficult to find. My home is a smoke free environment. I continue to add more Judith Lieber minaudieres, so please check for more offerings. Be sure to ask if you have any questions regarding this item and view all pictures carefully, as they are a part of the description.

Since 1963 Judith Leiber has been amazing the American population with her designs which have numbered nearly 4000, with the novelty minaudieres being sought after for their iconic style. Judith Leiber amazing creations are prized by celebrities for wear on the Red Carpets, First Ladies of the US for Presidential Inauguration balls, and private collectors around the world who continue to pay high prices for her couture pieces. Judith Leiber pieces are owned by museums across the globe, including the Metroploitan Museum of Art in New York (with over 100 in their collection), the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Taking a trip to view these collections is very worthwhile. The word "minaudiere" comes from a French term for silly little trifle.

This accurately represents Judith Leiber's highly original, often amusing, quirky, or whimsical tiny bags. Each one is impeccably hand fabricated--using tweezers to place Austrian crystals one by one that form the resultant delightful conversation pieces.

And, of course, anyone who likes to be noticed adores these tiny minaudieres! Wear a Judith Leiber minaudiere without receiving exclamations of approval by other women admiring the intricate workmanship and design. I also insure the package at my own cost to make sure it arrives safely. Thank you for your interest and your kind understanding!