This is one of the largest minaudiere of the trip 'finds', and represents a fabulous old necessaire, or 'minaudiere' as the French call it, or compartmented makeup and evening bag. These usually came in black suede leather framework-like scabbards that had a purse handle to them, so that the shell slipped into and could be mostly viewed as a purse, but then was slipped out and opened to reveal its wonderful interior. There is, typically, a mirror, a powder compartment, a lipstick compartment with curved lid, a separate compartment for money or other items, a compartment that holds its own shell comb. Three covered compartments is the usual, and sometimes the mirror itself is a compartment cover. This one is an overly large minaudiere, at over 6.7/8" wide. Beautifully preserved, it's got only a couple of minor flaws that we've noted and enlarged a great deal for your review. In actual use, or display, the minor flaws are very difficult to even notice, however. Elegant on your dressing table top, or go ahead and use it as a purse. Superb, bright and wonderfully mottled old shell on this one. Very stable for use, and very elegant!
Very good condition! NO chipped edges or cracks in any of the large shell panels! All of the lids are there, hinges strong, comb in the rear (also shell). The mirror has been replaced but you'd never know, there's a thin shell frame around it so no edges are seen. Just the small release button has been replaced, done with an equally old piece of genuine antique shell and, again, you would surely not have known if I hadn't mentioned it.
