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Artist Spotlight: Judith Leiber
Top: Geometric Box Handbag with Prawn Clasp (detail), 1990, Swarovski crystals, pearl, garnet, gold-plated metal, Gift of Rosalie K. and Sydney Shaftman, 2008.055. Above: Still from Artist Spotlight: Judith Leiber

Judith Leiber x Micaela Erlanger

Nov 14, 2021 Jul 17, 2022

Designer Judith Leiber created exquisitely designed couture women’s accessories that blur the boundaries between function and art. Most known for her semi-precious adorned minaudières, or compact occasion cases, her creations also include day bags, belts and pillboxes.

Considered one of the largest repositories of Judith Leiber bags in the United States, the Taubman Museum of Art’s permanent collection comprises more than 130 pieces gifted by regional donors Rosalie K. and Sydney Shaftman, for whom the gallery is named. This gallery in the museum is dedicated to the permanent display of this collection and is frequently rotated to showcase the limitless range of Leiber’s artistic legacy.

For this installation, Micaela Erlanger mined the collection to highlight her favorites by Leiber — a designer she greatly admires.

Snake Box Handbag, 1986, Swarovski crystals, semiprecious stones, gold-plated metal, Gift of Rosalie K. and Sydney Shaftman, 2008.013

Snake Box Handbag, 1986, Swarovski crystals, semiprecious stones, gold-plated metal, Gift of Rosalie K. and Sydney Shaftman, 2008.013

Starshape Handbag, 1996, Swarovski crystals, gold-plated metal, Gift of Rosalie K. and Sydney Shaftman, 2008.02

Starshape Handbag, 1996, Swarovski crystals, gold-plated metal, Gift of Rosalie K. and Sydney Shaftman, 2008.02

Beckoning Cat Pillbox, undated, Swarovski crystals, garnet, gold-plated metal, Gift of Rosalie K. and Sydney Shaftman, 2005.005

Beckoning Cat Pillbox, undated, Swarovski crystals, garnet, gold-plated metal, Gift of Rosalie K. and Sydney Shaftman, 2005.005

Artist Spotlight: Judith Leiber

Artist Spotlight: Judith Leiber

Artwork Spotlight: Judith Leiber's Tiny Treasures

Artwork Spotlight: Judith Leiber’s Tiny Treasures

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