2000s Gucci Metal Lacquered Orange Horsebit Miniature Bag Charm Pendant

This Gucci charm dates from the 2000s. It takes the form of a miniature horsebit clutch in orange lacquered metal, with gold-tone hardware and a small strap, and measures 3 x 1.5 x 1 cm. Made in Italy, it can be attached to a handbag, a keyring or a phone.

The horsebit, drawn from the equestrian world, has been part of Gucci's design vocabulary since the 1950s. It has appeared on loafers, bags and jewellery, and here it defines a piece small enough to hold between two fingers.

Tom Ford was creative director of Gucci from 1994 to 2004, a period that brought the house back to the centre of fashion with bold, glamorous designs. Playful accessories like this charm reflect the confidence of those years, when house codes were reinterpreted in bright colours and new forms.

Charms and small accessories from the Tom Ford era are sought after by collectors of the period. Lacquer chips easily with use, so pieces in very good condition are found less often.