An exquisite 1920s ladies powder box by Cartier Paris. The hinged 18ct gold box adorned with lacque burgauté panels depicting a Chinoiserie scene. Green jade 'pillars' highlight each corner. Carved emerald and diamond thumbpiece releases lid to reveal a mirror, sprung lipstick tube, two compartments and a gold handled powderpuff. Signed 'Cartier Paris Made in France' and numbered. Fitted Cartier box.
Lacque burgauté is a technique that originated in China where lacquer is inlaid with the iridescent shell of the 'sea-ear', a type of shellfish. (Lacque - lacquer, burgauté - sea-ear). 1920s Cartier pieces drew heavily from foreign cultures, with the laque burgauté pieces of 1925-1930 they experimented with incorporating pieces imported from China into their designs, drawing on the skill and expertise of the lacque burgauté masters in the Far East.
A rare, highly collectable piece.