Rare Hermès Birkin bag sets new world record at Hong Kong auction

The bag from the So Black collection sold for more than four times its estimate

The Hermès Birkin So Black bag sold for four times its estimate. Christie's 
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A rare Hermès Birkin bag set a new world record at auction this week when it sold for HK$1.625 million (Dh764,036) – more than four times its estimate.

The limited-edition bag, which had a low presale estimate of HK$400,000, attracted bidders from more than 20 countries when it was sold at Christie's auction house in Hong Kong.

The bag is part of the Hermès So Black series, deemed to be extremely rare among collectors, with the previous record sale from this series fetching HK$1.375 million at auction in May 2018.

The So Black collection was designed by Jean Paul Gaultier during his stint as Hermès's creative director from 2003 to 2010.

Despite that bag, made from Niloticus crocodile skin, reaching a new world record for the series, it was not the most expensive bag sold at the auction.

The bag with the highest price tag was a matte white crocodile skin bag from theHermès Himalaya collection, which sold for HK$2 million.

The spring auction, which was dedicated to handbags and accessories, raked in more than HK$45.6 million in total, with more than half of all lots sold fetching higher-than-estimate prices.

The most expensive bag sold at auction was a white Hermes Birkin for its Himalaya collection. Christie's 
The most expensive bag sold at auction was a white Hermes Birkin for its Himalaya collection. Christie's 

Despite growing controversy around the use of exotic skins in fashion, bags and accessories made from rare skins continue to fetch high prices at auction.

Chanel and Victoria Beckham are among the designers to recently ban their use.