CHANEL Bombay Doll Minaudière - Métiers d’Art 2012

CHANEL Paris–Bombay Métiers d’Art 2012 Doll Minaudière

Black Lucite • Crystal & Pearl Embellishment • Runway Collector’s Piece

Introduced in the Pre-Fall 2012 Paris–Bombay Métiers d’Art collection, the Chanel Doll Minaudière stands as one of Karl Lagerfeld’s most elaborate and culturally layered runway creations. Conceived as an homage to the opulence of India’s Maharajas, the collection reinterpreted Eastern grandeur through the lens of Chanel’s European savoir-faire, resulting in pieces that now occupy a near-mythical status among collectors.

Sculpted from high-gloss black lucite, the minaudière adopts a doll-like silhouette inspired by traditional nesting-doll forms, reimagined with unmistakably Indian iconography. The surface is decorated with a diamond-lattice motif referencing Chanel’s iconic quilting, accented with hand-set crystals that catch the light with architectural precision. The face is hand-painted and adorned with a crystal bindi, lending the piece a serene, ceremonial presence.

Crowning the design is a dramatic maang tikka–style headpiece, constructed from Chanel’s signature interwoven chain and pearls and centered with an enamel Camellia, seamlessly merging Indian adornment with the maison’s most enduring codes. The minaudière opens via a concealed push-lock CC closure, finished with crystal detailing and a silk tassel, underscoring the piece’s dual identity as both functional accessory and sculptural artwork.

Produced in extremely limited numbers and released exclusively for the runway, the Paris–Bombay Doll Minaudière is now considered a cornerstone of Chanel Métiers d’Art collecting. Rarely seen on the market, it is sought after by serious collectors, fashion historians, and institutional archives for its craftsmanship, narrative depth, and cultural significance.

A true artefact of Chanel history — theatrical, intricate, and emblematic of Karl Lagerfeld’s visionary storytelling at its peak.