A private Asian collector has snapped up a matte white Diamond Himalayan Niloticus crocodile diamond Birkin handbag making the luxe tote the most expensive handbag ever sold.
At the Christie's 30th Asia anniversary auction in Hong Kong earlier today, a Himalayan Niloticus Crocodile Diamond Birkin handbag by Hermes has become the world's most expensive, selling for more than $300,000 (N83,003,850.00)
The matte white Diamond Himalaya Niloticus crocodile diamond Birkin 30 bag with 18K white gold and diamond hardware was sold to a private asian collector at Christie’s Hong Kong on Monday, making the luxe tote the most expensive handbag ever sold at auction.
Matthew Rubinger, Christie's senior Asia vice-president of handbags and accessories, said the bag went to a private collector but he could not disclose who the buyer was or where they were from.
"We broke the world record last year, so it's the second time in this room we've broken the record, which is really exciting.
"It's one of those moments that come together when the seller is thrilled, the buyer is thrilled, Christie's is happy. It was a really good moment for the anniversary sale," Rubinger said.
Rubinger said the piece, boasting solid white gold hardware with 10-carats of diamonds, was a masterpiece.
"It's a complicated question because it's a handful of factors. It is about rarity. So how many exist? How many are being produced? Whether it's discontinued.
"It's similar to watches. There are very collectible contemporary watches. There are very collectible vintage watches.
"There are some that could have been produced in the last two or three years. But just because of their rarity, their iconic status, their handful of other factors. They can be extremely collectable," he said.
He added that Hermes produced only one or two Himalaya diamond pieces each year.
The Christie's spring auction in Hong Kong started on May 27 and finishes on June 1. It is selling items from fine wines to contemporary art and ancient ceramics to accessories.
