The 10 Most Expensive Hermès Bags Sold at Auction in 2024
Learn more about the most expensive Hermès bags sold at auction in 2024.
Birkins and Kelly Bags Top the Charts in 2024
The most expensive Hermès bags sold at auction in 2024 were either a Kelly or a Birkin, consistent with the top 10 in 2023. The total value of the top 10 Hermès bags was almost $2.1 million or $212,000 per bag versus almost $2.0 million or $197,000 per bag. While the top three most expensive Hermès bags were all Diamond Kelly bags, Birkins and Kelly bags were equally represented in the top 10 list for 2024. All of the Hermès bags on the list were exotic except the Kelly 25 Midas. All of the top 10 Hermès bags were either Limited Edition or Himalaya bags. Prices for the top 10 Hermès bags exceeded $100,000 consistent with last year. Six Himalaya bags made the top 10 list in 2024 versus only two in 2023. Three Birkin 20 Faubourg bags were in the top 10 in 2024 in comparison to only two in 2023. While prices for similar bags in 2024 declined from 2023, the most expensive bag in 2024 at $330,000 exceeded the price of the most expensive bag of 2023 at $280,000. Three Diamond Hermès bags made the top 10 in both 2024 and 2023.
1. Hermès Kelly 25 Himalaya Diamond $330,000
The most expensive Hermès bag to sell auction in 2024 was a Hermès Kelly 25 Himalaya with Diamond Hardware for $330,000 from 2021. The 18K white gold hardware is set with 298 diamonds for a total of 3.50 carats. The clasp features 2.10 carats or 40 diamonds and the padlock features 1.40 carats. Only the most experienced artisans in the maison get to work on the diamond and white gold elements, while the handle itself takes more than two hours just to assemble, featuring four layers of leather that have been saddle stitched. The Hermès Himalaya design, where Niloticus crocodile skin is colored in a way to depict snow capping the peaks of the Himalaya mountains, has garnered iconic status within the Hermès world. The Himalaya Kelly was first released in 2013 in 25cm, 28cm and 32cm sizes.
2. Hermès Kelly 25 Himalaya Diamond $284,000
The second most expensive Hermès bag to sell in 2024 was another Hermès Kelly 25 Himalaya with Diamond Hardware from 2022 for $284,000 in Paris. The 14% lower price for the bag sold in Paris a few weeks after the same bag sold in Hong Kong reflects the greater volatility for Hermès Himalaya Diamond bags in a weaker macro economy. Overall prices in 2024 at the top end of the Hermès market have been less predictable and generally weaker versus 2023. This is consistent with weaker demand for luxury goods in China and macro economic uncertainty that plagued much of 2024. The second most expensive Hermès Kelly bag was in similar condition and had a date stamp that is one year newer versus the bag that sold in Hong Kong.
3. Hermès Kelly 28 Himalaya Diamond $234,000
In a tie for the third most expensive Hermès bag to sell in 2024 was an Hermès Kelly 28 Himalaya with Diamond Hardware from 2019 that sold for $234,000 in Hong Kong. This is the first Himalaya Kelly 28 with diamonds to sell at Sotheby's. The 17% lower price versus the Diamond Kelly 25 is consistent with greater demand for smaller bags. The sharp color contrast is often more desirable by collectors seeking a Himalaya bag and the bag was in pristine condition with no visible signs of wear and plastic intact.
3. Hermès Birkin 20 Snow Faubourg $234,000
Tied for the third most expensive Hermès bag sold in 2024 was a Birkin 20 Faubourg Snow for $234,000 in Hong Kong. While prices for the Hermès Birkin 20 Faubourg Snow or Neige have declined since peaking in early 2022 when it first hit the secondary market. Sotheby's sold a Birkin 20 Faubourg Snow for $302,400 in December 2022. That being said it remains a highly coveted Hermès bag among collectors and was the most expensive Hermès bag sold at auction in 2023 at just over $280,000. The secondary market price for the most desirable limited edition Hermès bags generally peaks within the first year after being released and then generally declines as the style becomes less desirable with collectors. The Neige or Snow Faubourg was first released in 2021 and is the only Birkin 20 Faubourg with an Matte Alligator Body, while the other Birkin 20 Faubourg bags only have Matte Alligator flaps. The Birkin 20 Faubourg captures the architectural essence of the iconic Flagship Hermès boutique.
5. Hermès Birkin 20 Snow Faubourg $227,000
The fifth most expensive Hermès bag sold in 2024 was another Birkin 20 Faubourg Snow that sold for $227,000 in Paris. Looking ahead to 2025 it is difficult to predict if prices for the Faubourg Snow have stabilized. With the newest Rainy Days Faubourg Birkin released in 2024 we anticipate strong demand for this bag when it hits the secondary market. Collector attention on the newest Faubourg could also further drive down prices for the older variations. That being said, a stronger global economy could attract new collectors seeking to purchase all of these tiny Birkins with the iconic Flagship Hermès boutique design.
6. Hermès Birkin 25 Himalaya $187,200
The sixth most expensive Hermès bag is a Birkin 25 Himalaya that sold for $187,500 in Hong Kong. Hermès Birkin 25 Himalaya prices have declined from the peak price of $280,000 in September 2022. We believe prices for Hermès Himalaya bags should stabilize in 2025 since we don't anticipate further declines in the broader macro economy. The Birkin 25 Himalaya is a perennial top 10 when it comes to the most expensive Hermès bags and we don't anticipate that changing near term. While a few top Hermès collectors knew about the Himalaya Birkin, it wasn't until 2010 it became the ultimate IT bag. After Jean-Paul Gaultier sent the Himalaya Birkin down the runway in 2010, it has consistently been one of the most sought after Hermès bags. The first Himalaya Bikin 25cm wasn't released until 2012. While it is easier to purchase a Birkin Himalaya today than in 2010, it remains a difficult bag to secure for most collectors.
7. Hermès Birkin 20 Faubourg Midnight $181,000
The seventh most expensive Hermès bag to sell in 2024 is the Limited Edition Birkin 20 Faubourg Midnight for $181,000 in Hong Kong. While the price of this Birkin 20 Faubourg Midnight from 2024 is higher than the $170,000 it sold for in September 2023, the Birkin Faubourg 20 Midnight bag sold again in May 2024 for only $140,000 in Geneva. The fourth version of the Limited Edition Birkin 20 Faubourg is named Midnight in Black Swift Leather with a Matte Black Alligator Flap. The most distinctive feature of the Midnight Birkin 20 Faubourg is the Black PVD hardware.
8. Limited Edition Hermès Kelly 25 Midas $157,000
The eigth most expensive Hermès bag is the Midas Kelly 25 Sellier that sold for about $157,000 in Hong Kong. The black box leather Kelly 25 from 2023 features 18K gold hardware. The Midas in the name refers to the Greek mythological figure King Midas, who can turn everything into gold by touching it. Drawing inspiration from the myth, the Midas Kelly design features a unique hardware pairing leather with solid 18K yellow gold weighing 183.18g. It is as if Midas himself had touched the Kelly handle and turned it into gold. The remarkable fusion of leather and gold requires a meticulous assembly ensuring the metal follows the leather to precision.
Over the years, Hermès has developed many ways to treat leather for its designs but there are certain types of leather that have a special place in the heritage of the brand and black box calfskin is one of them. Every artisan starting out at Hermès begins their training by constructing a Kelly Sellier in black box calfskin and it is said that if an artisan can put together a flawless version of that bag, then that artisan is skilled enough to tackle every other design in the Hermès family.
9. Hermès Birkin 25 Himalaya $156,000
The ninth most expensive Hermès bag is a Birkin 25 Himalaya that sold for $156,000 in Paris. Hermès Birkin 25 Himalaya prices have declined from the peak price of $280,000 in September 2022. We believe prices for Hermès Himalaya bags should stabilize in 2025 since we don't anticipate further declines in the broader macro economy. The Birkin 25 Himalaya is a perennial top 10 when it comes to the most expensive Hermès bags and we don't anticipate that changing near term. While a few top Hermès collectors knew about the Himalaya Birkin, it wasn't until 2010 it became the ultimate IT bag. After Jean-Paul Gaultier sent the Himalaya Birkin down the runway in 2010, it has consistently been one of the most sought after Hermès bags. The first Himalaya Bikin 25cm wasn't released until 2012. While it is easier to purchase a Birkin Himalaya today than in 2010, it remains a difficult bag to secure for most collectors.
10. Hermès Kelly 28 Himalaya $128,000
The tenth most expensive Hermès bag to sell at auction in 2024 was a Himalaya Kelly 28 from 2022 that sold for $128,000 (114,300 EUR) in Paris. While the Himalaya Kelly bag consistently makes the most expensive list, the prices in the secondary market have declined dramatically from 2023 when a Himalaya Kelly 28 sold for over $200,000. Looking ahead to 2025, we anticipate prices to stabilize if the global macro economy stabilizes given the declines in 2024. The Himalaya Kelly was first released in 2013 in 25cm, 28cm and 32cm sizes and the Himalaya Kelly 28 remains a sought after bag by collectors.
Honorable Mention: Most Expensive Leather Birkin Sold for $69,300
While the Limited Edition Birkin 35 Faubourg Tropical didn't make the top 10 list, it is the most expensive non exotic Birkin to sell in 2024. Octave Marsal and Théo de Gueltzl created the Faubourg Tropical pattern. The maison’s iconic flagship store on 24 Rue de Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris is covered in tropical foliage, within which jungle animals such as monkeys, cheetahs and cockatoos also hide. The Faubourg Tropical Birkin 35, features palladium hardware and the pattern embroidered on Toile de Camp fabric is a rare limited edition Birkin from 2022. The delicate embroidery is done using a French technique known as Luneville, a process that can take up to 18 hours to complete, and the pattern extends on to the white Swift leather flap as well, showcasing the skill it takes to convey it across two different materials.
Buying and Selling Hermès Bags 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 Hermès bags range from $3,000 to $5,000 at the low end 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.
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