An early 20th century American Art Deco sterling silver and enamel minaudiere, Providence, Rhode Island circa 1920 by Theodore W. Foster & Bros (active 1898-1951)

Of rectangular form with canted corners and chamfered edge heightened with engraving, the front with engine turned decoration edged with opaque black enamel centred with an oval medallion in translucent white guilloche enamel painted with a basket of flowers with tied ribbon above. The side and top with collet set sugar loaf cut amethysts. A pendant chain link drops to base and hinged unmarked silver wove chain to top. The gilt and engine turned interior with opening mirror compartment backed with ivorine to one side and powder compartments to the other. Stamped sterling and with makers mark to one compartment lid only.

Length of case – 8.7 cm / 3.45 inches

Gross weight – 131 grams / 4.21 ozt

Operating as Foster & Bailey from 1873-1898 and White & Foster from 1873-78, in 1895 they had a samples office in New York at 178 Broadway