A machine age marvel this 1930s art deco Ripley & Gowen sterling silver compact is superbly engineered and exquisitely decorated in guilloche enamelling and engraving.
This is a double compact that opens to reveal a hinged central mirror and two stations, one for powder and one for rouge. The stations are labeled with paper stickers printed with instructions to send 25 cents in stamps mentioning number 9 and number 4 to R&G Co., Attleboro, Massachusetts for the refills.
Incredible attention to detail the front of the compact is decorated in white enamelling painted with roses and violets. The back of the compact is adorned with machine turned engraving in a floral motif with the back of the mirror engraved with pinstripes and the owners initials AWB.
The mirror is framed in gold filled/rolled gold scroll decoration. Even the rouge cover is decorated in diamond motif engraving, such attention to detail! The compact opens concertina style and closes with a kiss lock.
The original powder puff is present as are the powder and rouge cover rings. The compact suspends from an engraved silver finger ring and chain that is embellished with a white guilloche enamel panel.
An all original iconic art deco compact, superb quality from a top maker and in marvelous condition, it is bound to bring joy to the new owner, just fabulous!
MATERIALS: 925 sterling silver throughout, the mirror frame is rolled (yellow) gold.
DATE: 1930, art deco
MEASUREMENTS: The compact measures 2-1/2 inches; (65cm) in diameter and 19mm deep. The finger ring and chain is 4 inches (10.5cm) in length.
WEIGHT: 76 grams
MARKS: Stamped "sterling" on the back of the compact and on the finger ring and "gold filled"on the mirror frame and the back of the rouge cover. Also stamped with the makers mark R&G Co. with the padlock trademark on the rouge cover.
CONDITION: Excellent condition with all parts fitting together seamlessly. The hinges are in perfect condition with the compact closing tightly with a satisfying snap. There is no loss to the the enamel and the mirror surface is free of spotting.
Our photographs are taken with a magnified macro lens to show you every tiny detail most blemishes and scratches that appear are not noticeable and the dark areas are generally caused by camera shadow.