Italian 800 silver lipstick case with red glass cabochon, circa 1930s–1950s

An Italian lipstick case in 800 silver, dating to circa the 1930s–1950s, richly ornamented with hand-engraved floral and scrolling foliage motifs. Its slender rectangular form combines practical compactness with elaborate surface decoration, placing it within the European tradition of ornamental silver accessories. It evokes a period when even the smallest handbag essentials could receive considerable attention to craftsmanship and design. A narrow patterned border frames the decoration and emphasises the elongated proportions. Fine hatching provides a textured ground for the broader curves of the foliage, creating contrasts of light and shadow across the surface. The disciplined outline offers a pleasing counterpoint to the flowing ornament. The silver has a fineness of 800 parts per thousand, a standard widely used in continental Europe during this period. An oval red glass cabochon provides a vivid accent and also serves as the operating button for the lipstick mechanism. This integration of ornament and function is central to the object's appeal: the decorative detail forms part of its practical design. A small mirror fitted inside the lid completes its original purpose as a self-contained handbag accessory. The mirror has age-related corrosion and wear, while patina on the case accentuates the engraved decoration. An engaging addition to a collection of small silver objects, vintage beauty accessories or decorative cases, it lends itself to display on a dressing table or in a cabinet alongside period powder compacts and scent bottles. sicze approx 5 cm

Measurements: Height 5 cm (1.97 in)
Material: 800 silver, red glass cabochon and mirror.
Era: Circa 1930s–1950s.
Condition: Patina to the case. The mirror inside the lid has age-related corrosion and wear. photo 3 shows a damage to the bottom

One of a kind — only 1 available