Wild rose Minaudière (1938)

The Minaudière, a day-to-evening case bag, was created by Charles Arpels. One evening, he had seen one of his female friends putting all her indispensable accessories – powder case, lipstick, and lighter – in a cigarette tin. Charles Arpels could see that while a cigarette tin might be convenient, it was hardly suitable! So, he came up with the idea of a precious case fitted with ingeniously structured compartments.

This 1938 Minaudière is mounted in gold and decorated with a wild rose clasp that can be worn as a clip. It opens to reveal a powder compact, two ruby boxes in Mystery Set, a lipstick with a watch at its top, a dance card, a lighter and a comb. With its combination of grace and ingenuity, the Minaudière pays homage to the essence of elegance.