Cartier’s Chinese-Inspired Vanity Cases

 
Cartier Chinese Vanity Case.jpg

A close up of one of Cartier’s Chinese-inspired vanity cases from the 1920s. A miniature work of art but a feat of engineering too - you slide the emerald clasp to one side and the box pops open to reveal the little powder compartments and lipstick holder (which springs up helpfully) . On the right is me holding the case to give you an idea of the scale - it’s pretty small compared to the myriad of make up items we tend to carry around with us today but wouldn’t you gladly sacrifice that eye liner and concealer for the chance to carry this around?! Pictured here at a Bamboo Art event in Nanjing. I really enjoyed the relative calm and green of this historic city and it was a lovely place to share some of the family history - thank you to all who came!
#artdecocartier #vintagecartier #nanjing

 
Francesca Cartier Brickell#thecartiersbook, #artdecocartier, #vintagecartier, #nanjing, #vanitycase