Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 8

Van Cleef & Arpels La Minaudiere silver clutch with fabric case

About the Item

La Minaudiere Van Cleef & Arpels silver clutch with fabric case. Hallmarked with Minerva silver mark. ( 950. silver ) The engine turned and reeded case and gold plate, opening to a mirrored compartment containing a removable compact, removable lighter, and two hindged compartments. Condition report: The item exhibits several imperfections consistent with age and use. The comb is broken, and the mirror shows signs of aging, including minor clouding . Additionally, there are minor surface scratches and scuffs throughout, typical of regular use. Overall, while the piece retains its original charm and functionality, these issues should be noted for an accurate assessment of its condition. Dimensions: Length x width x depth: 15.1 x 12.1 x 2 cm Weight: 651 grams The History: The Minaudiere, a small decorative clutch, holds a unique place in fashion history, particularly through the creations of Van Cleef & Arpels. Introduced by Charles Arpels in 1930, the concept was inspired by American socialite Florence Jay Gould, who carried her essentials in a small tin box. Arpels envisioned a more luxurious version, leading to the birth of the minaudiËre. Named after the French word "minauder," meaning to simper or act coquettishly, the minaudiËre quickly became a symbol of sophistication and style. Designed to be a compact yet elegant case, it typically housed essentials like lipstick, powder, a comb, and sometimes even a small mirror. Van Cleef & Arpels' minaudiËres were meticulously crafted from precious metals and adorned with gemstones, showcasing the brand's exceptional craftsmanship and creativity. One of the innovative aspects of the original minaudiËre was its multi-compartment design, which allowed women to carry their essentials neatly and stylishly. High-quality materials such as gold, platinum, and mother-of-pearl were used, with many cases encrusted with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and other precious stones, making them luxurious and eye-catching accessories. The minaudiËre became a popular accessory among the elite, frequently seen at glamorous events and parties. Hollywood actresses and European royalty often carried these elegant clutches, further cementing their status as a must-have luxury item. Many of Van Cleef & Arpels' designs were inspired by various artistic movements and cultural themes, such as Art Deco patterns and Oriental motifs, highlighting the jeweler's ability to blend different artistic influences.
  • Creator:
    Van Cleef & Arpels (Manufacturer)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1920s
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Braintree, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU2962340977442

More From This Seller

View All
Antique Chinese export silver card case with courtly scene
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique Chinese export silver card case adorned with courtly scene and pagoda decoration. Made in China, Circa 1860's Stamped with ma...
Category

Antique 1860s Chinese Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Cigar Case
By Edward Smith
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique Victorian sterling silver cigar case Made in Birmingham, 1845 Maker: Edward Smith Fully hallmarked. Case has an inscription 'James Forbes Leith, From his Sister, 10th Decembe...
Category

Antique 1840s British Victorian Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Vintage 925 Sterling Silver Engine Turned Cigarette Case with Initial 'K', 1934
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage 925 Sterling Silver Engine Turned Cigarette Case with Initial 'K' Crafted in England, specifically in Birmingham, in 1934, this vintage cigarette case is made of 925 sterlin...
Category

Vintage 1930s British Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Art Deco period Austrian 935. silver cigarette case with enamel leaf ornaments
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique Art Deco period Austrian 935. silver cigarette case with enamel leaf ornaments. Made in Circa 1920 - 1930s Hallmarked with 935 silver mark. Dimensions: Length x width depth:...
Category

Vintage 1920s Austrian Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Antique Sterling Silver Vesta Case with Enamel Portrait of Dog, W J Myatt & Co
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique sterling silver vesta case with enamel portrait of dog Made in Birmingham 1913 Maker: W J Myatt & Co Dimensions - Size: 3.6 x 3...
Category

Vintage 1910s British Edwardian Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Sterling Silver

Asprey art Deco silver gilt compact case, 1939
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage silver gilt compact case Made in England Made by Asprey, London, 1939 Dimensions - 14.5 x 10.5 x 2 cm Weight : 659 grams Condition: General w...
Category

Vintage 1930s British Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

You May Also Like

Stunning Sterling Silver and Lapis Minaudiere Clutch Purse
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Rare and unusual high style sterling silver evening clutch with lapis. The interior is fitted with a mirror and compartments for cosmetics. The s...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Art Deco Collectible Jewelry

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Sterling Silver

Silver Gold and Gem-Set Clutch with Black Silk Carrying Case, Mario Buccellati
By Mario Buccellati
Located in Tel Aviv - Jaffa, IL
Rare and one of a kind important Mario Buccellati clutch. Gold, silver and carved Emeralds evening bag, The silver bag engraved in a sunburst-like Pattern, the clasp set with 11 carv...
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Sterling Silver

Materials

Gold, Silver

German Silver Gilt Minaudière Louis Kuppenheim
By Louis Kuppenheim
Located in Newark, England
The minaudière of rectangular form with curved corners features a repousse monkey which humorously goes through the case with the front side of the monkey on the cover and the rear side of the monkey on the back. The exterior of the case is gilded Silver with cabochon Sapphires and a top carry loop. To the left of the top a second loop contains the original pencil which pulls out for taking notes upon the ivorine notepad within. The interior of the case features several compartments which open via the Sapphire tabs, the left side contains two smaller compartments while the right side features a bevel edged mirror with an ivorine notepad to the reverse and a spring loaded tab to the compartment. The case is hallmarked in several locations with the London ‘omega’ import mark (1906-1998), the import Silversmiths mark Gresham Barber & Co and is dated 1907. Although the minaudière does not bear the original makers hallmark we firmly attribute the case to Louis Kuppenheim a renowned German Silversmith who made designs matching this minaudière. Louis Kuppenheim (1824-1889)was founded in 1854 together with Heinrich Witzemann they were located in Pforzheim, southwestern Germany and is known as the gateway to the Black Forest. In 1857 Kuppenheim moved forward as a solo business without his partner and moved to Durlacher Straße 1, Old Town street in Pforzheim. Upon the death of Louis Kuppenheim in 1889 3 of his 6 children (Albert, Hugo and Moritz) took over running the company and in 1900 at the Universal Exhibition in Paris the firm won a gold medal for a paper knife. In the same year the company opened the first store in the Rue de Richelieu 67 in Paris. In the 1900s Hans Christiansen designed some silver parts and pieces of jewellery, which were made by the Manufacture Kuppenheim. Christiansen was an important Art Nouveau painter and a member of the Darmstadt artists’ colony. In 1906 Albert, Hugo and Moritz convert the inherited jewellery factory into a modern gold and silverware fabrication and one year later relocated to 69 Durocher Street. Over the next 30 years the company expanded their business with mechanical workshops for gold and silver along with more machinery along with the death of Albert Kuppenheim and Ludwig (another son of Louis) taking over the company. After the war broke out in 1939 the company went into liquidation ending its 82 year history. During the heyday of the company over 200 people were employed by Louis Kuppenheim making it one of the most important employers in the jewellery city of Pforzheim. In the more than eighty years of production some 100,000 pieces left the company. Kuppenheim made many items in small series, for example boxes and minaudières (women’s fashion accessory, generally considered a jewellery piece, intended to substitute for an evening bag. A case with compartments, it allows storage for several items in a small space, such as a makeup compact, lipstick, watch, reading glasses, or keys) and compacts and cigarette cases...
Category

Antique Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Sterling Silver

Materials

Gold Plate, Silver

Antique Sterling Silver Cigarette Case with Initials B I
Located in BILBAO, ES
Antique Sterling silver cigarette case Weight 160 grams PRADERA is a second generation of a family run business jeweler...
Category

Vintage 1960s Spanish Romantic Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

English Sterling Silver Tray with Case by Elkington
By Elkington & Co.
Located in London, GB
English Sterling silver tray with case by Elkington English, 1911 Tray: Height 5cm, diameter 51cm Case: Height 8.5cm, width 55cm, depth 55cm This charming solid silver tray is ...
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Sterling Silver Megillah Case
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Being offered is a sterling silver Megillah case in a hammered finish. It is square shaped and very modern. A beautiful way to carry and store your Megillah scroll. Happy Purim!!
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Recently Viewed

View All