Vintage 1940s–1950s Mother of Pearl Carryall Compact Minaudière

Vintage 1940s–1950s Mother of Pearl Carryall Compact Minaudière

A stunning piece of mid-century glamour, this vintage carryall compact dates to approximately the 1940s–1950s and was designed to hold nearly everything a woman might need for an evening out — all within one beautifully crafted case.

The exterior is covered in genuine mother-of-pearl mosaic, with individually arranged pieces creating a luminous, iridescent surface that shifts between soft ivory, pink, blue and green as it catches the light. A flexible gold-tone mesh wrist strap allows the compact to be carried like a miniature evening purse.

Opening the case reveals an incredibly detailed all-in-one vanity interior, complete with a large mirror, powder compartment, original powder puff, lipstick holder and additional compartments traditionally intended for small evening essentials such as cigarettes, money or personal items.

The gold-tone interior is finished with intricate engine-turned geometric detailing — a beautiful example of the attention given to even functional accessories during the mid-century era.

More than a powder compact, this is a true carryall minaudière — part vanity case, part evening purse and part piece of jewelry.

Details:
• Circa 1940s–1950s
• Genuine mother-of-pearl mosaic exterior
• Gold-tone metal construction
• Flexible metal mesh wrist strap
• Large interior mirror
• Powder compartment
• Original powder puff
• Lipstick holder
• Additional storage compartments
• Intricate engine-turned interior detailing
• Carryall compact / minaudière / vanity purse

Condition: Beautiful vintage condition with authentic signs of age throughout. The interior shows patina, oxidation and surface wear consistent with its age. Mother-of-pearl exterior retains beautiful natural iridescence. Original lipstick is missing; the lipstick holder remains present. Please review all photos closely as they form part of the condition description.

A remarkable surviving accessory from an era when even everyday essentials were designed to be beautiful — and made to be kept.