HONG KONG - Christie's said Tuesday that a Hermès designer handbag smashed a world auction record in Hong Kong. The auction house did not identify the buyer of the crocodile skin Birkin Bag in fuchsia with 18 karat gold and diamond hardware. It sold for 1.72 million Hong Kong dollars ($222,219). The previous record was set at a U.S. auction in 2011 for another Birkin Bag, in red crocodile skin, that sold for $203,150. The Birkin Bag was designed for and named after British actress Jane Birkin. It's famous for having a price tag in the thousands of dollars and a years-long waiting list. The bag was one of more than 300 that Christie's put on the block in Hong Kong, which has emerged as a global auction center thanks to wealthy mainland Chinese. A similar black Birkin Bag was offered for auction but didn't sell after failing to attract the minimum bid of 1 million Hong Kong dollars ($130,000). - AP
