Historical information

This item would have been used to apply rouge to the face to make the cheeks red. This rouge holder was made to fit into a purse or pocket for quick and easy application of the rouge. Variants of rouge or reddening materials are still used in cosmetics today.

Significance

This item is of minor interest as an example of a cosmetics holder in use in the 20th century. It will be useful for display.

Physical description

This is a small brass container. It is rectangular in shape and has curved sides with ridged lines along the top and bottom edges. It opens via a small clip to reveal two compartments hinged in the middle. One compartment has an oval recess containing rouge powder and the other compartment has an inset mirror which is broken in two. A cloth pad for daubing the rouge on to the cheeks is also inside the container.

Inscriptions & markings

‘Velvet Grape’