Once in a while, you manage to find something so interesting, rare and precious that you just have to have it.  That is what happened when I found this one of a kind compact made by Dunhill.

Dunhill is a name synonymous with men’s luxury goods and is a quintessentially English brand. The founder, Alfred Dunhill was obsessed with detail and the quality of the craftsmanship that went into his designs. In1927, Dunhill launched their revolutionary Unique cigarette lighters in sterling silver which were the first lighters that could be used to light a cigarette with one hand.  These items were treasured by lucky recipients who had one and coveted by those who did not.

Not many people know that Dunhill also made a very special limited edition of their famous lighter. No ordinary novelty powder compact, this rare piece is a four in one make-up kit, containing powder, a perfume vial, eye kohl pencil and lipstick…everything a gal needs!

This era is known for its glamour and opulence so, for the newly liberated woman who was out dancing and having fun, a make up compact disguised as a cigarette lighter would have been the perfect accessory! 

This compendium compact, as they are known, is extremely rare and is even news to some collectors. Fifteen years ago, one fetched £200 in an auction at Christies.

This post marks the end of this vintage series on my website. I hope you have enjoyed it and I really want to thank you for all the wonderful comments! I only managed to cover a small amount of the subject so there is plenty left to do next time, IF I do another vintage week!

I hope I have inspired you to start looking for your own vintage make up gems.  They don’t have to be as rare as this one or expensive, just pretty and loved by you!

If you want to learn more about the history of makeup, have a look at my FacePaint page here X