Powder Boxes

CLEFF Large Heavy Brass Powder Compact With Exotic Bird of Paradise Design on Lid, With Original Dark Brown Leather CoverVintage 1940s 50s

CLEFF Large Heavy Brass Powder Compact With Exotic Bird of Paradise Design on Lid, With Original Dark Brown Leather CoverVintage 1940s 50s
CLEFF Large Heavy Brass Powder Compact With Exotic Bird of Paradise Design on Lid, With Original Dark Brown Leather CoverVintage 1940s 50s
CLEFF Large Heavy Brass Powder Compact With Exotic Bird of Paradise Design on Lid, With Original Dark Brown Leather CoverVintage 1940s 50s
CLEFF Large Heavy Brass Powder Compact With Exotic Bird of Paradise Design on Lid, With Original Dark Brown Leather CoverVintage 1940s 50s
CLEFF Large Heavy Brass Powder Compact With Exotic Bird of Paradise Design on Lid, With Original Dark Brown Leather CoverVintage 1940s 50s
CLEFF Large Heavy Brass Powder Compact With Exotic Bird of Paradise Design on Lid, With Original Dark Brown Leather CoverVintage 1940s 50s
CLEFF Large Heavy Brass Powder Compact With Exotic Bird of Paradise Design on Lid, With Original Dark Brown Leather CoverVintage 1940s 50s
CLEFF Large Heavy Brass Powder Compact With Exotic Bird of Paradise Design on Lid, With Original Dark Brown Leather CoverVintage 1940s 50s
CLEFF Large Heavy Brass Powder Compact With Exotic Bird of Paradise Design on Lid, With Original Dark Brown Leather CoverVintage 1940s 50s
CLEFF Large Heavy Brass Powder Compact With Exotic Bird of Paradise Design on Lid, With Original Dark Brown Leather CoverVintage 1940s 50s

CLEFF Large Heavy Brass Powder Compact With Exotic Bird of Paradise Design on Lid, With Original Dark Brown Leather CoverVintage 1940s 50s

Here is an interesting find - an unusual and rather heavy powder compact, made of brass with a fancy design of an exotic bird of paradise with long fancy crest and tails feathers. Surrounded with flowers and leaves, this fancy bird is perching on the branch and looks very pleased with himself.

The brass powder compact measures 8 cms in diameter x 7mm thick (3 1/8" x just under 1/4") and is extremely flat. Compacts often have a bit of a domed lid, but not this one - flat as a pancake it comes with its original dark brown leather cover, but nothing else - no sifter or puff with this one unfortunately. This wonderful powder compact has the name'cleff' engraved on the inner lid - the most wonderful art deco logo. This is of course, cleff of london - a well known name in the art deco period but not much later than the early 1950s, i don't think.

I have no information regarding this brand, other then the fact that i have heard this name before. I think this dates from around the mid-late 1940s - the bird design is very flowery, and not nearly so geometric as the powder compacts from the 1920s/30s era, so it's probable that this came from the retro art deco period during or just after the war. It's a charming piece of ephemeral cosmetics and beautyware from a time of great hardship for everyone. This item is made of brass and dark brown leather cover.


CLEFF Large Heavy Brass Powder Compact With Exotic Bird of Paradise Design on Lid, With Original Dark Brown Leather CoverVintage 1940s 50s