Compact in Original Case
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Beatrice Fox
American, 1887 - 1968
ManufacturerManufactured by
Van Cleef & Arpels
French, founded 1898
Date1930-1950
MediumCompact (.a): Gold frame with enameled sides, set with diamond chips; silk and wool powder puffs and pressed powder and rouge on glass slides
Case (.b): Suede covered metal case lined with silk satin; brass hardware
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length x width x height of compact): 2 7/8 x 2 x 1/2in. (7.3 x 5.1 x 1.3cm)
Other (width x depth x length of case): 3 1/2 x 1 x 4 1/4in. (8.9 x 2.5 x 10.8cm)
Other (width x depth x length of case): 3 1/2 x 1 x 4 1/4in. (8.9 x 2.5 x 10.8cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Richard Koopman
Description(.a) Gold compact on chain with sides done in black enamel; front cover is inset with the initials "BFA" in a circle set with diamond chips. The lid opens when lifted to a divided compartment with two rectangular gold silk powder puffs lined with wool. The larger compartment holds a glass slide of pressed powder and the smaller one holds one of pressed rouge. The back of both slides are labeled with the name of the New York cosmetics manufacturer who made the refills. Interior has two slide-out ends, one holds a lipstick and the other is a refillable perfume flask with screw-off cap. A ten-inch long chain handle alternates two rectangular gold links with a rod-shaped metal bead in black enamel (eight beads total).
(.b) The hard clamshell case is covered in dove gray suede and has A brass thumb piece; the lid is lined with white satin stamped in gold with an image of the Place Vendôme in Paris and the words,"VAN CLEEF & ARPELS / 22 PLACE VENDÔME / PARIS"; the suede lining is stamped in the bottom right hand corner, "METAL DEPOSE / 'LE STYPTOR'"
(.b) The hard clamshell case is covered in dove gray suede and has A brass thumb piece; the lid is lined with white satin stamped in gold with an image of the Place Vendôme in Paris and the words,"VAN CLEEF & ARPELS / 22 PLACE VENDÔME / PARIS"; the suede lining is stamped in the bottom right hand corner, "METAL DEPOSE / 'LE STYPTOR'"
Object number1986.214.5a,b
MarkingsCircular white paper labels printed in black ink affixed to the backs of the pieces of glass which hold the refills for the pressed powder and rouge read: "CHARMANT SPECIALTY CO. INC. LABORATORIES NEW YORK / VANITY BOX No. [Number crossed out] / BRUNETTE" (on the rouge) and: "CHARMANT SPECIALTY CO. INC. LABORATORIES NEW YORK / VANITY BOX REFILL / FLESH" (on the powder).Inscribed(.a) Monogrammed on top center of compact in diamond chips: "BFA" (.b) Gold lettering at top center of the interior of the case reads, "VAN CLEEF & ARPELS/ 22 PLACE VENDÔME/ PARIS".
Gold lettering at the inside corner of the case reads, "METAL DEPOSE/ 'LE STYPTOR'".NotesDate Note: Beatrice Fox married George Auerbach on April 15, 1915 and the monogram is her married name ("BFA"). (Blakelock, 11/21/2008)
Collections
- G. Fox & Co.
On View
Not on view
Bridgeport Gun Implement Co.