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When it comes to vintage compacts, Art Deco was definitely the golden age. Art Deco was a style of the 1920s-1940s characterized by bold colors and geometric lines.

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Unmistakably Art Deco.

Via Early Art Deco Ladies Guilloche ...

Enamel was the most popular material used to decorate compacts in the Art Deco period. Guilloche refers to a specific engine-turned process which engraves the enamel into intricate patterns.

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Art Nouveau was the artistic style that preceded Art Deco (1890-1920) and its main characteristic was the use of stylized organic forms.

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This style of compact was "carried" by wearing the ring on the finger.

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The Design is "The Swans" by Walter Crane.

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An interesting combination of form and function.

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Victorian ladies would have carrying cases that might combine a few functions. This one was a mirror and a calling card case.

Via Vintage Limoges Vintage Powder Compacts ...

All sorts of fine arts manufacturers made compacts. The town of Limoges in France has been making enamels since the 12th century and fine porcelain since the 19th century.

Via 1061: Deco Red Enameled Compact ...

"Risqué" ladies became quite a feature of the Art Deco period.

Via House of Schiaparelli | Compact ...

Vintage compacts were fun as well as beautiful. This is from the House of Schiaparelli and was made in 1935.

Via Vintage Art Deco Compact Purse ...

This is dated to the early 1900s but is undeniably the Art Deco style.

Via Ornate Malachite Box | 1stdibs.com

This vintage compact of 18k gold, malachite and precious stones from the late 1800s would set you back about $12,000.

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Beautiful silver chasing and marcasite complements the jade green.

Via Green Lucite Compact with Sea ...

This is stunning. The glittery seahorse is set into a Lucite surface.

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I love how the rhinestones are set into the hat, although the illustration of the hat itself is sadly faded now.

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Flowers are a popular decoration on vintage compacts.

Via Vintage Compact Mirror Powder, Art ...

The gold and black is so classy.

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Combining two functions in one.

Via Enameled Silver

This little darling dates to 1905 and was made in Austria.

Via rubylane.com

Made in 1950 from sterling silver.

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Bakelite was an extremely strong form of plastic very popular between the 1920s and 1950s.

Via Antique Sterling Silver Guilloche Enamel ...

A chatelaine is a collection of feminine tools usually hung from a belt. It generally held sewing items but this one has a compact too.

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So simple but so beautiful too.

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If silver is your thing, you'll love this.

Via Vintage Compact Gorham Deco Roses ...

Got $300.00 to spend on a compact? Well it is silver. And it is from the 1930s.

Via Salvador Dali 'Bird in Hand' ...

This is a Salvador Dali design from the 1950s and would cost you $2,800. It's made from gold plate and silver.

Via le-boudoir-online.com

From back in the days when it was fashionable to smoke and it was okay for pictures to show it.

Via diamondsandrhubarb.blogspot.com

This bears the signature of Fulco di Verdura and was made in 1948. It's made in gold and is set with tourmalines and aquamarines.

Via VINTAGE Du Barry RICHARD HUDNUT ...

I like the elongated nature of this as you get to see more of your face.

Via Stratton Airliner Compact

Stratton has been one of the most prominent makers of compacts in the UK since 1923. The one pictured is from the 1950s.

Via Evans Cornflower Compact

Made by Evans in the 1930s

Via Vintage Gold Stars Stars Confetti ...

A multitude of gold stars will make you feel like a star.

Via Cameo Compact Russian Hallmarked C ...
Made in Russia between 1935 and 1945

Via Atkinson's

Atkinson was an American company. This compact is tiny and measures 1-1/2 X ¾ Inches.

Via Vintage Compact Evans Compact Silver ...

I don't know which hard stone it is but it works really well with the silver.

Via Vintage Powder Compact Mirror Case ...

Am seriously in love with the confetti pattern in the Lucite surface.

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Delicate and pretty.

Via Art Deco Series Day 3 ...

Made in 1927 from gold and platinum and set with emeralds, sapphires, onyx and coral.

Via 1930s Art Deco Powder Compact ...

Another stunning black and silver deco combination.

Via Vintage Powder Compacts

If that compact held powder, I'd be worried about it opening and the powder flying everywhere as I wafted my fan about.

Via rubylane.com

Wouldn't you feel special putting on your red lippy looking in this red celluloid compact?

What do you think of modern plastic compacts now you've seen the variety of stunning vintage compacts?