A very special circa 1970s–early 1980s vintage Gucci in black leather, and a beautiful example of the house’s earlier Italian leather goods. This is the kind of vintage Gucci I love finding — understated at first glance, but full of extraordinary details once you look closely.
The bag has a structured, softly rounded silhouette in smooth black leather, finished with substantial gold-tone hardware. The front is dominated by an unusual sculptural turn-lock clasp, while the adjustable leather strap allows the bag to sit comfortably on the shoulder.
Inside is where some of the most interesting details are found. The leather interior carries the early gold-foil “MADE IN ITALY BY Gucci” stamp, a vintage Gucci marking associated with the house’s earlier Italian-made leather goods and seen on pieces predating the later standardised serial-number system. Together with the construction, hardware and branding, these details are consistent with a bag dating to approximately the 1970s to early 1980s.
There is also a wonderful Gucci knight crest zipper pull — an older house emblem drawing on Gucci’s longstanding equestrian imagery and a fabulous little detail that you rarely encounter on later bags.
Even better, the bag retains its original matching black leather coin purse, complete with a traditional gold-tone kiss-lock frame. Finding an early Gucci bag still accompanied by its original accessory makes this example particularly special.
The overall design is wonderfully representative of Old Gucci: beautiful leather, substantial statement hardware and discreet branding rather than obvious logos. Elegant, unusual and increasingly difficult to find in this configuration.
Era: Circa 1970s–early 1980s
Includes: Original matching leather kiss-lock coin purse
Made in Italy
Condition: Good vintage condition with signs of age and use appropriate to a bag of this era. The smooth leather shows very light surface marks and some small indentations, particularly across the flap, as clearly visible in the photographs. The hardware retains a lovely rich gold finish with some age-related surface wear. Please study all photographs carefully and take particular note of the condition shown, as they form an important part of the description.
A rare and genuinely interesting piece of 1970s–early 1980s Gucci, made all the more special by its early gold-foil branding, knight crest hardware and original matching coin purse still together.
Authentication: Guaranteed. A third-party certificate can be provided for an additional R300 if required. Should an item be proven not authentic, a full refund will be issued upon return.
Payment Terms: Payflex available.
Disclaimer: All my items are vintage and pre-loved unless otherwise stated. Minor signs of age and wear are part of the charm, and I do my best to note anything significant in the listing. Please study all photographs carefully as they form part of the description.