A round vintage-style compact with a gold-toned frame and a white mother-of-pearl inlay, resting on an open antique book.

Vintage Mother of Pearl Parquetry Powder Compact, Gold-Tone, MOP Mosaic Tile Lid, Swing Inner Lid, Full Accessories, Mid-Century, Unmarked

£114.00
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A round vintage-style compact with a gold-toned frame and a white mother-of-pearl inlay, resting on an open antique book.
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  • A round vintage-style compact with a gold-toned frame and a white mother-of-pearl inlay, resting on an open antique book.
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  • Vintage Mother of Pearl Parquetry Powder Compact, Gold-Tone, MOP Mosaic Tile Lid, Swing Inner Lid, Full Accessories, Mid-Century, Unmarked
  • A round vintage-style compact with a gold-toned frame and a white mother-of-pearl inlay, resting on an open antique book.
  • A round, brushed gold metallic compact, resting on the pages of an open vintage book with black text and a bird illustration. Other antique books and gold-toned decorative items are visible in the background on a dark red surface.
  • A round gold-toned compact mirror with a hinged cover lies open on an old open book, with its reflection visible. The scene includes other vintage books and a red surface in the background.
  • An ornate gold compact mirror with a white circular insert, open on top of an aged book with printed text and illustrations. A small gold cross bookmark rests on a red book in the background.
  • Vintage Mother of Pearl Parquetry Powder Compact, Gold-Tone, MOP Mosaic Tile Lid, Swing Inner Lid, Full Accessories, Mid-Century, Unmarked
Vintage Mother of Pearl Parquetry Powder Compact, Gold-Tone, MOP Mosaic Tile Lid, Swing Inner Lid, Full Accessories, Mid-Century, Unmarked

Vintage Mother of Pearl Parquetry Powder Compact, Gold-Tone, MOP Mosaic Tile Lid, Swing Inner Lid, Full Accessories, Mid-Century, Unmarked

£114.00
Taxes included. Shipping calculated at checkout.
Description

Shell and gold. Each tile a different light.

The lid of this compact is inlaid with a parquetry mosaic of natural mother of pearl: rectangular and irregular tiles of iridescent white MOP arranged in a geometric staggered-row pattern, each piece fractionally different in tone, each one shifting between cream, silver, and pale blush as the light moves across it. The tiles are set into a recessed disc in a gold-tone lid with a fine engraved border at the outer rim. The overall effect is quiet and beautiful in the way that natural materials always are: no two angles look quite the same.

The compact is large and circular, the reverse carrying a clean spun or brushed concentric radial finish. There is no visible maker's stamp; this style of MOP parquetry compact was produced by a number of mid-century British and Continental European makers including Kigu, Mascot, and various French and Italian workshops, and the two-lid mechanism here is consistent with that tradition. The inner lid swings open on its own hinge to reveal a round bevelled mirror set in the gold-tone inner lid face, then lifts again to access the powder base.

The interior is new and fully equipped: the white pressed mesh sifter disc sits in the gold-tone base, the original puff is present, and the slip is in place beneath. The mirror is bright and clean. The double-barrel outer hinge is tight.

The Particulars:

  • Maker: Unmarked; style consistent with mid-century British or Continental European production (Kigu, Mascot, or similar)
  • Form: Large circular compact with swing inner-lid mechanism
  • Lid: Mother of pearl parquetry mosaic tile inlay in gold-tone surround; fine engraved border to outer rim
  • Reverse: Spun/brushed concentric radial finish, gold-tone; no visible maker stamp
  • Interior: Round bevelled mirror to inner lid face (bright, clean); gold-tone base with white pressed mesh sifter; original puff; slip present
  • Included: Original puff, sifter, slip
  • Not included: Outer box
  • Condition: New. Please review all photos carefully before purchasing.
  • Period: Mid-century, 1950s-1960s

The shell does the work. It always has.

Arrives tucked inside its own treasure coffin and carefully wrapped as a vault relic, ready for gifting or keeping.

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