THE 10 WILDEST FIGURAL COMPACTS

I was wondering what to share with you next, then I had a flash! Why don’t I do a nomination of the wildest figural compacts I’ve seen yet? I mean I'm still stunned by how fun compacts were, especially in the 1950s, it was all about Novelty!

I did my selection based on the originality, rarity and complexity of each piece. I have researched in my beauty history books and on the web, then narrowed it down to these 10 unique pieces! I hope you will appreciate these little works of art as much as I do, and if you are a vintage enthusiast or a fellow collector reading this, please do share your thoughts with me! Oh and I do own one on this list, I'm excited to share a video of it with you soon on my TikTok account.

LET THE COUNTDOWN BEGIN!

#10:WADSWORTH '8 Ball'

This billiard ball shape compact was made by Wadsworth - Henriette in the 1940s, such rare Iconic novelty piece! This compact was made in the days where this sport first attracted attention.

I’m a fan of Wadsworth compacts, and the pool balls are by far some of my favorites!

#9:Wadsworth 'Vanity Table'

This brass Vanity Table is a stylish powder compact by Wadsworth - Parker Pen made in the 1950s in Canada. The lid has a mirror top with Fleur de Lys decoration.

It opens to reveal a mirror under the lid and the powder well. The bowed vanity table legs fold down so that you could carry it in your purse.

#8:Pygmalion 'SONATA PIANO'

The Sonata Piano is a delightful compact from the 1940s by Pygmalion, made of brass representing a grand piano, it was met to old loose powder. The legs of the piano could be folded in.

It is said that this compact is an homage to the post-war period, which marked the return of lively music!

#7:KigU 'flying saucer'

1950s Rare Kigu Musical Flying Saucer has a unique Swiss-made disk with a musical movement design, the butterfly flutters as the music box plays, this compact was made in England by designer Ki Kigu. I love the central blue and gold enamelled stars!

A fun piece appreciated by women who looked to the stars with hope of the future after post-war troubles.

#6:WADSWORTH 'HOT AIR BALLOON'

Here's a very rare 1950s Wadsworth - Parker Pen Hot Air Balloon novelty compact. The balloon part opens to reveal a round mirror, powder sifter and puff.

Beneath the balloon, hanging from the chains is where you would have your rouge compact, I just love how it was designed to look like the hot air balloon's passenger basket. Such a cute piece!

#5:VOLUPTE 'GOLDEN GESTURE'

Rare Volupté - Golden Gesture Lace Glove Hand Compact with enamelled floral bracelet was made in the US in 1941. Volupté made an entire line of these compacts with varying ornamentations. Some are plain gold, some have a diamond engagement ring, bracelet, zodiac signs and there are two lace glove versions, black and white with enamelled flower bracelets.

The hand-painted lace fishnet with the floral design is just incredible. Definitely one of my top favourite compacts, such a stunning piece!

#4:ROBERT DEMARIO 'FIGURAL CHAIR'

Rare figural chair compact by Robert Demario from the early 1950s. This exquisite powder compact chair is encrusted with faux pearls and rhinestones. The lid opens to reveal a mirror and swansdown powder puff.

These little 5 inches tall chairs were produced in very small quantities and designed individually, mainly by hand in the US so they are all unique and are scarce on the vintage market today.

#3:Aleixandre Madrid 'SPANISH GUITAR'

Here you have a 1940s Aleixandre Madrid very rare Spanish Guitar compact from Spain, custom made to fit the realistic guitar, made of brass with faux two-toned leather top.

The hinged top opens to reveal a mirror, powder sifter and swan downs powder puff.

This piece is so realistic you can almost hear the music!

#2:SCHUCO 'MOHAIR MONKEY'

This 1929 miniature German Schuco Monkey vanity case surely deserves to be in my top 3, it only measures 9 cm, so tiny! The most common colours made were in brown & ginger blond tones, but it also came in multiple colours like pink, lavender, red, green.. which are much rarer to find. These little ones would usually be offered by a man to his sweetheart, so she could carry it around in her small handbag.

To open it, you would remove the head to reveal an inner mirror and a brass powder pan with a mini puff, and the neck contained the smallest lipstick ever. Some will find it cute and some will find it creepy, either way, it's a very cool piece!

#1:SALVATOR DALI 'BIRD IN HAND'

The Magnificent Salvador Dali Compact is the rarest most famous American compact and the most sought-after by collectors.

Extremely Rare Elgin American's Bird-in-Hand compact issued in 1951 was designed by Spanish Surrealist Artist Salvador Dali. It was sold in 3 versions: Cast Brass (sold for 15$ in 1951), Silver-plated (sold for 25$ in 1951) and Silver with 14k Gold tipped wings (sold for 100$ in 1951).

The compact contains a powder compartment, a pillbox and lipstick. The head of the bird forms the handle for the lipstick tube and pulls out, the powder box is revealed by pressing a tab at the tail causing one side of the compact to flip open revealing a mirror and a powder compartment. The tail of the bird contains the pillbox and is accessed by sliding a tab to open the cover.

Bird-in-Hand is definitely the holy grail of vintage compacts!

Now, I'm curious to know, what's your favourite?

Yours truly,

Mélanie