An incredibly tiny handbag, smaller than a grain of salt, has been sold at auction for an astonishing price of $63,750 (£50,569). Created by the controversial art collective MSCHF, the microscopic bag requires a microscope to view its intricate design, measuring at 657 x 222 x 700 micrometers.
Described as “narrow enough to pass through the eye of a needle,” the handbag is a remarkable display of extreme miniaturization. MSCHF, known for its unconventional and provocative designs, has previously released items such as shoes containing human blood, trainers with holy water in the soles, a cologne smelling like WD-40, and oversized red rubber boots.
The handbag features the branding of luxury designer Louis Vuitton but has no official affiliation with the brand. It is constructed using photopolymer resin and was created utilizing 3D printing technology commonly employed for producing intricate mechanical models and structures.
During the bag’s production, some of the samples sent to the brand for review were so small that they were lost by the MSCHF team, according to reports from the Smithsonian magazine.
The winning bidder of the microscopic handbag need not worry about losing the item, as the purchase includes a microscope with a digital display. While the auction site did not separately list the price of the microscope, it was included in the bidding, which started at $15,000.
Kevin Wiesner, MSCHF’s chief creative officer, revealed that the art collective did not seek permission from Louis Vuitton to use their branding on the bag. Wiesner stated, “We are big in the ‘ask forgiveness, not permission’ school,” in an interview with The New York Times.
MSCHF has faced legal issues in the past, settling a lawsuit with Nike in 2021 over the sale of modified trainers containing a drop of human blood. The art collective is also currently involved in a trademark lawsuit with Vans.
The sale of this minuscule handbag highlights the boundary-pushing nature of MSCHF’s art and their ability to capture attention with their unconventional creations.
