VAN CLEEF & ARPELS MINAUDIERE in STYPTOR, LACQUER AND GOLD and DIAMOND CLASP 1930's Minaudiere in styptor metal and black lacquer finished with rose gold clasp set with round brilliant cut diamonds. Signed, numbered 510** , includes a powder box and a lighter, with with original portable satin case 12x15 cm  

La Minaudière is an iconic, patented jewelry accessory created by Van Cleef & Arpels in 1933, designed as a luxurious and highly functional vanity case for women's evening essentials. The term is a trademark of Van Cleef & Arpels and not a generic name for a type of bag. 

History and Design

Inspired by socialite Florence Jay Gould who stored her cosmetics in a tin cigarette box, Charles Arpels conceived an elegant solution for women's evening necessities. The resulting "Minaudière" was a rectangular, hard-shelled case designed to hold various items in specialized compartments. 

• Ingenious Compartments: The interior typically featured a mirror, a powder compact, a lipstick holder, a lighter, and a comb, with some even incorporating a miniature secret watch.

• Exquisite Materials: Early models were crafted from materials like gold, silver, and "Stryptor" (an alloy), and adorned with precious stones, lacquer, or guilloché motifs.

• Transformable Elements: In keeping with the Maison's tradition of transformable jewelry, some Minaudières had clasps that could be detached and worn as separate clips or brooches. 

Van Cleef & Arpels does not currently feature "La Minaudière" as a standard production item in its main collections, but rather as a heritage piece. The pieces available are vintage and sold through auctions and high-end secondary markets.