All About the Hermès Constance
Read on for a complete guide to collecting the Hermès Constance.
A Brief History of the Hermès Constance
The Hermès Contance was first introduced 1959 and is part of Hermès’ “Big Three” handbags: the Hermès Kelly bag, the Constance, and the Birkin bag. The Hermès Constance is instantly recognizable with its prominant “H” clasp that secures the bag’s top flap. The Constance was designed by Hermès draftswoman Catherine Chaillet while she was pregnant with her fifth daughter. Chaillet considered the design process a true labor of love, and the artisan decided to bestow the handbag with her daughter’s name, Constance. Jacquline Kennedy Onassis was frequently seen with the Constance, which helped grow the Hermès Constance bag’s popularity.
Hermès Constance Variations
The Hermès Constance is currently available in 14, 18, 24 and Elan. The Constance 23, 25 and 29 have all been discontinued by Hermès, but can often be found on the secondary market. While the traditional Constance sizes are square, the Constance Elan is rectangular in shape. The Constance can be worn as a shoulder bag or crossbody. The most popular Constance is the Constance 18. It takes an Hermès artisan between 14 - 18 hours to create a Constance.
The Constance comes in a range of leathers, exotics, and hardware combinations. The original Constance was made in Box leather but today the most popular Constance leathers are Epsom, Chevre and Swift leather. The Constance is also available in Ostrich, Lizard, Alligator and Crocodile. Similar to other Hermès bags, collectors are generally looking for a Constance bag in basic Hermès neutral colors like Black, Gold, Etoupe and Nata (or other Hermès white variations) or the newest Hermès pastel color. Demand for a leather Constance is much stronger versus an Exotic Constance bag.
Limited Edition Constance
The Hermès Constance is also created in new limited edition bags nearly every season. One of the newer Limited Edition Constance bags is the Constance Sac Miroir Clouté that is in Black Box leather with silver studs on the front of the bag. The Limited Edition Constance Marble Silk produced in 2021 features a unique silk marbling technique known as "suminagashi," or "floating ink," which originated in Japan during the 12th century. This intricate process creates a deconstructed effect with shimmering colors on silk, resulting in a vibrant pattern. This unique Limited Edition Constance peaked at around $25,000 when it first came to auction but now sells closer to $15,000. The Limited Edition Constance On a Summer Day from 2017 was part of the collaboration with Nigel Peake and features his vibrant design printed on Swift leather. Hermès Constance Au Bout du Monde also known as the "Endless Road," is a Limited Edition Constance from 2019 and draws inspiration from the "Au Bout du Monde" scarf designed by Antoine Carbonne. The Limited Edition Constance translates the landscape motif on to the Constance using alligator, lizard and several different leathers.
Hermès Constance To Go
The Hermès Constance’s popularity inspired a line of wallets released in 2004 that retain the ethos of the original Constance bag. The most popular is the Hermès Constance To Go Wallet, but the Constance Slim Wallet and the Constance Compact Passant Wallet are also popular styles. The Constance Long To Go Wallet is an 8 cm rectangular clutch that houses four credit card slots, two interior pockets, a zipped coin purse, and an exterior pocket. In 2020, Hermès redesigned with Constance To Go to include a removable strap so it can be carried as a wallet, clutch, shoulder or crossbody. The Constance Slim Wallet is a 5 cm square wallet with rounded edges. The Slim features two credit card slots, a removable zippered coin purse, and a belt loop for added functionality. The Constance Compact Passant Wallet is the same 5 cm size as the Slim, but it lacks the belt loop and has sharper edges. The Passant has two credit card slots and a zippered coin purse in the interior. These Hermès wallets are commonly found in Epsom leather in a variety of colors. Hardware options include the standard palladium-plated or gold-plated options.
How Much is a Hermès Constance Bag?
The Hermès Constance price depends on many factors including material, size, age and condition. The Hermès Constance 18 retails for about $9,700 while the Hermès Constance 24 retails for about $14,000 in leather. Depending on the color, a store fresh leather Hermès Constance 18 price ranges from $9,000 to $20,000 with the newest Hermès colors and most recent date stamps selling for the highest. A leather Constance 24 in pristine condition sells for between $9,000 to $15,000. Vintage leather Hermès Constance bags generally sell for below $10,000. While the Hermès Constance is a quota bag, collectors are generally less interested in this style compared to the Birkin or Kelly bag. Secondary market premiums are significantly less for the Constance, especially exotic Constance bags compared to the Birkin or Kelly bag. The most expensive Hermès Constance to sell at Sotheby's was a very rare Constance 24 Himalaya Crocodile with a 2023 date stamp which sold for 762,000 HKD or almost $100,000.
How to Buy a Hermès Constance Bag?
The Hermès Constance bag can be challenging to acquire directly from Hermès boutiques, as it is a quota bag, meaning availability is limited and often requires a relationship with a sales associate or a history of purchases. For those unable or unwilling to wait, the secondary market offers a viable alternative. Luxury marketplaces like Sotheby’s, provide access to a curated selection of Hermès Constance bags in various sizes, colors, and materials, including rare or limited-edition versions that may not be available at boutiques. The secondary market allows buyers to skip the wait and purchase a pristine Constance bag immediately, often with the added benefit of finding bags in the newest colors or unique combinations. While prices may be higher than retail, the flexibility and access to a broader range of options make the secondary market a popular choice for collectors.
Advantages to Buying an Hermès Bag on the Secondary Market
1. Access
Sotheby's is able to provide access to a curated selection of Hermès bags from its long established global network of sellers. Sotheby's is a leading global marketplace that offers pristine Hermès bags in the most popular colors, materials and sizes along with rare Himalayan and Limited Edition Hermès bags. Our handbag specialists are always sourcing the more desirable Hermès bags from collectors around the world. Sotheby's also sells incredible private collections that include one of a kind Hermès bags.
2. Flexibility
Sotheby's provides multiple ways to purchase bags including auction, online, and in person in New York, Hong Kong, Zurich, Paris and London. Sotheby's also offers a concierge service if you need assistance sourcing a specific Hermès bag that isn't available at auction or online.
3. Value
While Hermès bags in pristine condition sell at a premium to retail, Sotheby's has bags for purchase at auction and marketplace in a range of the most desirable colors and materials. Secondary marketplaces like Sotheby's allow a buyer to purchase a store fresh pristine Hermès bag with the original box and all plastic still on the hardware without waiting for a call from an Hermès sales associate. While it is possible to purchase a Hermès Bag at a boutique, it is hard to predict how long it will take. Additionally if you don't have an existing relationship at the store, it is even harder to pick the exact bag including size, color and hardware. In many cases you may be offered a Hermès bag that may not be your desired color or size. Buyers also come to Sotheby's since they want to purchase more than two Hermès bags in a year. While we encourage you to build a relationship with an Hermès Sales Associate, Sotheby's can save you time when purchasing a Hermès.
4. Discovery
One of the best parts of a global luxury marketplace is discovering unique one of a kind Hermès or rare limited edition Hermès bags that are no longer available at Hermès. Sotheby's curated selection changes regularly and each auction has a unique selection of Hermès bags. You are likely to discover something new to you from Hermès.
Buy and Sell an Hermès Bag at Sotheby's
Sotheby's always has a curated selection of the top Hermès bags available for immediate shipping. Sotheby's also sells Hermès bags at auction in New York, Paris, Zurich and Hong Kong. Expect to find rare and collectible Birkin and Kelly bags in every sale in addition to other popular Hermès bags in pristine condition in the newest colors and classic neutrals. Sotheby's handbag sales include rare and limited edition Hermès bags in exotic materials, custom color combinations and even diamond hardware.
Prices for entry level Hermès bags range from $3,000 to $5,000 for the Herbag, Garden Party and Evelyne TPM. Prices for the most sought after Birkin and Kelly bags start at around $20,000 and can exceed $100,000 for the rarest and most desirable limited edition Birkin or Kelly bags.
- Explore upcoming handbag auctions in New York, London, Switzerland, Paris, and Hong Kong.
- Speak to a Salon Associate in New York, Zurich, London, Paris, or Hong Kong to schedule an appointment.
- Contact a Handbag Specialist about selling an Hermès bag or submit your item here for valuation.
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