Featured What is this thing? Mirrored something-holder and British

It's marked German silver, so that's one question down. I'd almost think it was a snuff, but the lid has an original mirror. It was made for the 100th anniversary of Washington Market in London. (It came in a jewelry lot from the UK.) It's a hair over 2 inches in diameter.

 

Powder for the girl on the go? Neat, whatever it is.

 

I thought of that, but it doesn't feel like a powder compact, and usually commemorative stuff like this went on a guy's watch chain. It has that feel anyway. I can't see a guy powdering his nose. Well, most of them at least.

 

Looks like a rouge locket...

~Cheryl

 

It's bulky for a fob. Could be for snuff, but why then the mirror? Cocaine would be my next thought. Worn with one of those razor blade pendants.

 

According to this, it's a compact (which seems most likely.)

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/antique-art-nouveau-silver-compact-1859382028

Debora

 

Re Centenniel ceremonies...

"On Thursday more than 200 souvenirs were given away to visitors."

https://books.google.com/books?id=b...e&q=washington market 1812 centennial&f=false

Debora

 

That was a bit of a tough read, but I guess it's a compact. It just feels odd, and most of them I know have larger openings. Of course those are for pressed powder. If this is a loose powder compact all bets are off.

Interesting that this is from the New York market and not the UK, but the dates fit.

 

Here's another from same era.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/481243333/antique-victorian-compact-early-1900s

Debora

 

That's funny...... but practical!

 

LOL! Sure thing - a couple lines and I'm up and dancing!!!
"1900s Dance Compact Powder"

 

I was assuming loose powder with a little puff/applicator.

 

Along the lines of...

https://www.etsy.com/il-en/listing/536996750/antique-edwardian-1900s-silver-powder

Debora

 

She also had a puff listed with one image: Image must have been before she polished it up for WORTHPOINT!!!!

 

Better example. Thanks for posting.

Debora

 

That's a very typical shape for an Edwardian rouge or powder compact. It wasn't till you got those insert refills - 1930s? - that they changed to flat.

 

Wow! No punctuation...

 

That would hold one heck of a lot of blow...LOL

 

Suppose the word 'compact' is just easier, but these appear to be for loose powder, so not compact. They only became compact when pressed powder was introduced. This is a wearable/portable/dance miniature powder jar. But let's stick to compact.

 

Oh, totally agree on that. Loose powder or rouge. Pressed was Max Factor in the 20s or 30s, wasn't it?