ANNULUS: Flattened ring, circular plate with a central circular aperture
ART DECO: Artistic style prominent in the 1920s and 1930s. took its name from L'Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes (Internal Exhibition of Decorative and Modern Industrial Arts), held in Paris in 1925. Influences included Art Nouveau, Ancient Egyptian architecture, and Cubism.
ART NOUVEAU: Artistic style using curvilinear motifs derived from nature. Popular from circa 1890 to 1925 and frequently revived.
BAKELITE: Phenolic, acid based plastic, invented in 1907.
BEAUTY BOX: Vanity case containing cosmetic items other than powder and rouge, such as eye makeup.
BUTTERFLY WING: Amazonian Blue Morpho Butterfly with wing span of 9" used for costume jewelry and cases.
CABOCHON: A highly polished dome-shaped stone with no facets.
CABRIOLE: An elongated S-shaped support.
CAMEO: Gem, shell or stone with design or figure carved in relief against a background of a darker or lighter color.
CARRY-ALL: 1950 and 1960s term for a rigid case containing powder, lipstick and feminine beauty aids.
CARTOUCHE: Decorative, framed space in which initials can be engraved.
CHINOISERIE: European decoration with a Chinese motif.
CIRCA: Approximate date an item was manufactured.
COMPACT: Small portable case used to contain face powder, usually comes with a mirror.
CONVERTIBLE STYLE: Interior adapted for either pressed or loose powder.
CREAM POWDER: Or Creme Powder. Face powder combined with cream or oils to make it adhere to the skin. Used from the 1950s.
ENGINE-TURNING: Technique by which regular patterns are cut into the surface of a metal object held in a lathe.
FAUX: Fake or false.
FLAPJACK: Term used in the 1930s and 1940s for slim powder compacts. Cookie: to 2.5" diameter. Baby: 2.5" to 3.5" diameter. Standard: 3.5" to 5" diameter. Super: 5" to 6" diameter.
GODET: Metal pan used to contain pressed or cream powder.
INRO: A small compartmented and usually ornamented container that is hung from a Japanese obi (sash) to hold small objects such as medicines, perfumes or cosmetics.
KAMRA: Case resembling early collapsible camera cases.
LIMOGES: Translucent enamel of colorful portraits or scenes on copper that originated in Limoges, France.
MINAUDIERE: Rigid metal, usually box-shaped evening bag with compartments for powder, lipstick, rouge, mirror, coins and cigarettes. The name is supposedly inspired by Estelle Arpels - cofounder with her husband of Van Cleef & Arpels. Her brothers used to say that no one could "minauder", or charm, in society like their sister Estelle.
MOTIF: In the style of or resembling.
NECESSAIRE: Bolster-shaped version of the minaudiere with fewer compartments.
PARTY CASE: Another term for "Carry All". Used in the 1950s and 1960s.
PATCH BOX: Small round compact with a set-in lid, akin to 18th century box used for beauty patches or spots.
PENDANT CASE: Compact or vanity case suspended from a chain or ring.
PLI: A make-up tube containing powder and a puff brush.
PORTRAIT CASE: Picture frame feature in compacts and vanity cases for snapshot insertion.
PRESSED POWDER: Compacted dry face powder, contained in godets. Used during the 1920s and 1930s.
RETICULE: Small handbag that is held in the hand or carried over the arm.
SIFTER: Fine mesh or gauze, mounted on a rigid frame, which fits tightly into the powder well of a compact; allows access to small quantities of powder while retaining the majority of the powder within the well.
SIFTER BOX: 1920s and 1930s term for a compact for loose powder.
VANITY CASE: Rigid portable case designed to accommodate cosmetics and personal items.
WEDGEWOOD: Fine English pottery best known for a white cameo-like relief ware on a matte background.