The term is "minaudière", the purpose is as a purse, compact evening bag and makeup case, all in one. Built with a mirror panel set as a sectioned, purse on one side and makeup sections on the other, these were usually originally sold in a sheath of black suede with a purse handle for easy carry. For travel or evening, so glamorous and chic. This one is complete, unbroken, no warp, and the backside of the mirror has a celluloid liner one can use for taking notes, schedules, or names, addresses. Two covered compartments in front for powder and rouge, and a center opening into which a lady could put her lipstick. The back section, also open, has a hinged holder for, and still holds the original tortoise shell comb, as well. The French think of everything! These date c.1900-1920. Most of these, and other fine tortoise shell items are likely to have come from the Moribito boutique, elegant source for much of the elegant objects in this beautiful natural material.
Very good to excellent for age and type, nothing broken and no warp. A little age and haze to that old original mirror, visible in our photos. Hinges, clasps, covers - all working smoothly and well. Comb has no missing teeth. No cracks, no hairlines. A few very small bug bites noted or visible on our photos for your review. Measurements also noted on the photos. This one does not have the old suede halter/purse. Small enough to be a clutch purse, easily carried.
IMPORTANT NOTE regarding antique tortoise shell or ivory: We are great supporters of protection for endangered species in our modern world. We never buy or sell anything 100 years or newer; we donate to anti-poaching organizations; we don't hunt; we conserve in ways that impact global warming (we're totally solar at home), knowing those measures also protect the animals in the wild today. We also recognize the vast cultural history we preserve with our care and reverence for these antique objects, and agree with CITES that objects over 100 years of age have nothing whatsoever to do with species depletion in our current world.
Our offering exceeds the age limitation of "more than 100 years of age", and is well within the exemption for CITES regulation. If imported, met the CITES regulation. This item will be handled and shipped from our Utah business, and is not available for shipment internationally, nor within the USA to California, NY, Nevada, Hawaii, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington if it contains ivory, sorry. Please see our small print for more details.
