Powder box; Italy. End of the 19th century, beginning of the 20th century.

Polvera; Italy. Late 19th, early 20th century. Silver 800 gilt and chiselled with bakelite plates. Contrasts on the inside. Measurements: 1,3 x 5,2 cm. Powder compact of Italian origin made in gilded silver for the structure. The circular piece has a design based on bakelite plates arranged on the base, the lid and the sides. These plates are delimited on the perimeter by gilded and engraved silver with ornamental plant motifs. The popularity of powder cases dates from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a time when make-up was not yet socially accepted and when the first powder cases were often concealed in accessories such as walking sticks, jewellery or hat pins.