A rectangular vanity case with a mother-of-pearl plaque on the front that is engraved with black Egyptian hieroglyphs and cartouches down each side and flanked by coral columns, with onyx and coral capitals and diamond bases. In the bottom half of the plaque is a rectangular panel of royal blue lapis lazuli, on top of which is a turquoise-blue Egypitan faience figurine, whose eyes are closed and who appears to be playing a double pipe. The figurine squats on a rectangular base encrusted with diamonds, which sits on a stepped onyx platform. Above the lapis lazuli panel is a large tulip-shaped decoration of coral, onyx and diamond. The top of the vanity case tapers in slightly and is made from coral with gold stripes, on top of which sits a platform of onyx with a smaller lapis lazuli panel above.The case is attached to an onyx ring by a double strand of leather held to it with decorative diamond, lapis lazuli, coral and onyx clasps of both circular and pyramidal shapes.

See more objects with the tag luxury, portable, egyptian, exoticism.

Object Timeline

	We acquired this object.
1924	Work on this object began.
2017	We photographed this object. We exhibited this object.
2024	You found it!

Object ID #1042155095

This is a Vanity Case. It is dated 1924. Its medium is gold, platinum, engraved mother-of-pearl plaques, egyptian blue faience figurine, coral, onyx, lapis lazuli, rose-cut diamonds, black enamel, leather.

This Cartier vanity case of 1924 suggests the door to an Egyptian temple and includes an ancient Egyptian faience figurine. It was purchased by French industrialist François Coty, whose name became synonymous with his scents.

It is credited Lent by Cartier Collection, Inv. VC 64 A24.

A bracelet combining Egyptian imagery in a symmetrical composition fabricated from faceted precious and smoothly polished semi-precious gemstones and gold also known as cabochon, set in platinum in a rectangular form with an open box clasp partially seen. The dominant central design shows two swans intertwined in a heart form encrusted in round diamonds and rows of mother-of-pearl representing feathers with beaks of onyx and a large round diamond atop, possibly representing the sun. An onyx scarab below traditionally representing renewal and rebirth in Egyptian symbolism spreads its decorative wings in a symmetrical circular design embellished with onyx for feather tips, two rows of turquoise, then sapphires meeting in the diamond encrusted center and appearing to be overlapped by the swans. Round diamonds surround the feathers with several thin diagonal dark lines and a curved partial circle emanating from the large diamond above the entwined swan’s heads. To the right and left are papyrus leaves formed like fans on an opposite diagonal orientation consisting of sapphires and gold stripes and sapphires on the leaf’s gently curved borders. Above, large areas of turquoise cabochons appear to be flowing in a diagonal orientation and are possibly reminiscent of the Nile River. Further to the left and right and at the bracelet’s ends are a symbol of an outline of an eye possibly representing a god enhanced with gems and a black pearl for the iris. A hook and flail are located below the eye crossed like an X consisting of sapphire and gold stripes traditionally representing a symbol for the Pharaoh of Egypt. The bracelet could comfortably fit into one’s hand, it would probably feel cold to the touch and the texture would be bumpy from the cabochon stones. The photograph captures the object against a light gray ground with a cast shadow.

Object ID #907130389
diamonds, turquoise, sapphires, mother-of-pearl, onyx, black pearls, smoky....
Private Collection.
41.2016.11

Egyptian-themed bracelet. Almost entirely set in round diamonds, there are periodic rows of channel-set rectangular sapphires. The scene on the front of the bracelet, set in sapphires, rubies and emeralds, is of two Egyptian figures. One is kneeling and is giving or receiving something from a standing figure.

Egyptian Bracelet
diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and platinum.
Private Collection.
41.2016.1

This object has not been digitized yet.

Bracelet, Egyptian, ca. 1925
diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and platinum.
FD Gallery Collection.
42.2016.1

Our curators have highlighted 4 objects that are related to this one. Here are three of them, selected at random:

Brooch
diamonds, rubies, emeralds, onyx, and platinum.
Private Collection.
41.2016.8

Multi-colored beaded bag of cotton, glass and metal beads in the Egyptian style of objects found in Tutankhamen’s tomb. The design is of a lotus flower motif with a winged scarab near the top. The pocketbook is oblong but comes to a point at the bottom where there are five equally spaced beaded tassels. The purse closes with a drawstrings and the beading is in black, blue, green, orange, yellow and silvery grey. The same design covers both the front and back.

Object ID #18628067
cotton, glass and metal beads.
Gift of Dorothy Twining Globus.
1988-23-1

A purse designed with a sculptural woman seductively reclining on top of the closure with the body of the purse made from a silk textile. She is made of gold and is positioned across the width of the purse on a gold decorative surface, leaning on her left elbow, wearing a triangular covering embellished with diamonds and sapphires that partially covers from her waist to above her left knee. She wears long sapphire earrings and a diamond band across her head. The snap lock closure is decorated with a blue and green enamelled wave design occupying most of the width, with small black squares on each end adorned with a small diamond step design beneath. A gold triangular form with the monogram [RRF] is centered and overlapping the wave design featuring a round diamond and a green and black enamel pull ornament. The body of the evening purse is vertically designed, woven from black silk with a rounded bottom and strap.

Object ID #907130315
gold, enamel, diamonds, sapphires, silk, cotton.
Lent by The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Lyon, 2009.378.
48.2016.2

Its dimensions are

H x W x D: 9.3 × 4.5 × 2 cm (3 11/16 × 1 3/4 × 13/16 in.)

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition The Jazz Age: American Style in the 1920s.

Short URL http://cprhw.tt/o/2A6jpi/
Accession Number 86.2016.8
Object ID 1042155095