You all know how much I love getting inquiries, but boy do I hate it when I don't have an answer. Today I thought I'd share 2 items that I couldn't identify. First up is this vintage mirror that was found at a yard sale. It's an interesting piece – I can't say I've seen a vintage mirror with an inset like that, or faux pearl and rhinestone grapes with gold leaves.
The little flower must be the brand emblem, but I couldn't seem to turn up anything that would point to the specific company that made it.
I also can't even tell what decade this is from. Given the rounded edges and ornate details similar to some vintage lipstick holders, I'd say it's from mid 1950's or early '60s, but I really have no idea. Sigh. I hate being so useless!
The second item is at least something that I could say with certainty is from the 1920s or '30s. The person who wrote said it was her grandmother's, and it still was in the box bearing the name of the Illinois pharmacy where it was purchased.
The colorful, abstract enamel piece on the front is quite striking.
I was able to find a couple of other compacts that looked identical (same clasp, chain, and wavy etchings) except for the design of the enamel piece on the front. Alas, they were also unmarked.
(images from ebay.com)
(images from etsy.com)
These sorts of compact/bag hybrids, sometimes called "dance purses" were quite popular throughout the '20s and early '30s. Unfortunately, without a maker's mark on this particular compact, I have no idea what company made it. I'm always working on building the Museum's library, which includes collector guides – I think this one would have been especially useful for this inquiry, but I still haven't purchased it yet.
Can anyone help identify these?