1921 Art Deco Faux Tortoiseshell Vanity Manicure Set Original Note & Cosmetic

A wonderfully evocative early 1920s ladies’ vanity and manicure set, presented in its original fitted case with faux tortoiseshell-effect accessories.

What makes this particular set rather special is that it has remained with its original handwritten Christmas gift note, which reads:

“To Maud
With Love From Will
Xmas 1921”

This gives the set a lovely piece of personal provenance and dates it directly to Christmas 1921.

The fitted case contains a selection of matching faux tortoiseshell-effect manicure and vanity pieces, including scissors, manicure implements, nail buffer and folding manicure tool.

One of my favourite details is the small matching cosmetic container, which still contains an old rouge/lip-colour cosmetic. This may well be contemporary with the set, although its age cannot be independently verified, so it is being left completely untouched.

The original fitted interior is finished in deep purple velvet with a pale satin-lined lid.

Condition:
This is an approximately 105-year-old set and shows considerable age and use. The outer case is heavily worn with losses, scuffs and deterioration, and the interior also shows age-related wear and staining.

One original manicure implement is missing, with the empty retaining loop visible in the fitted interior.

The faux tortoiseshell-effect pieces themselves show normal age and use. Please study all photographs carefully as they form an important part of the condition description.

The handwritten 1921 note is heavily creased, worn and marked but remains legible and will, of course, stay with the set.

Case size: approximately 19 cm × 13 cm × 4 cm.

A charming survivor from the early Art Deco period, made particularly appealing by its dated Christmas inscription and surviving cosmetic. A lovely piece for a collector of antique vanity items, early plastics, dressing-table accessories or social history.