Hair Receiver Box & Cover

by Julie Noyas | Sep 13, 2021 | Boxes & Boudoir Items

Item Number:  CC-09
Dimensions:  3⅛” Sq. – 2⅞ H
Production Dates:  1916-1925

Years ago, hair receivers were very much in favor by the ladies of the house.  Women would recycle their hair, and collect it after brushing and grooming.  The hair was kept in a container, usually made from a variety of materials from ceramic to crystal.  The American pattern produced one such item – the Hair Receiver & Cover.  Hair would be placed in the box, via the hole in the cover.  The hair would be collected and later used in a number of ways; the most popular being turned into a hair rat.  A “rat” was a form that was made out of a woman’s own hair, and then used to make a bigger hairstyle.  Hair was also collected for stuffing purposes – such as for making pincushions and other items.

The Hair Receiver is almost identical to the Square Puff & Cover, with the obvious difference being seen in the lid.  The Hair Receiver has a hole in the center of the cover.  The inside diameter of this opening is approximately ⅞”, with a finished and smoothed edge.  The measurement of the entire box – with the cover in place – is about 3⅛” in length and width, and 2⅞” in height.

Finding these items in undamaged condition gets harder with each passing year.  Many of the covers (or lids) are found chipped or cracked.  Lifting and placing the covers on the boxes should be done carefully, and always with a gentle touch.  As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase on eBay.  The following link shows available Hair Receiver Boxes on eBay.

Round Puff Box & Cover

by Julie Noyas | Sep 8, 2021 | Boxes & Boudoir Items

Item Number:  CC-11
Dimensions:  3½″ Base D – 2⅞″ H
Production Dates:  1916-1928

The Round Puff Box & Cover was introduced in 1916, one year after the Square Puff Box & Cover made its debut.  It had a much shorter life than its square sibling, but long enough for us to still find them today.  These are not common items, and finding one in good to excellent condition is getting more difficult with each passing year.  Many of the covers (or lids) are found chipped or cracked.  Lifting and placing the covers on the round boxes should not be done with great haste, and always done with a gentle touch.

Vanity or boudoir items of the American pattern usually had a specific purpose.  Puff boxes are one such example.  They were usually filled with face or body powder – a dusting powder of sorts, usually accompanied by a powder puff.  Once the original product was used, the glass boxes could then be refilled as needed.  The boxes could also be used for a variety of other purposes, in addition to being used as a decorative item.  These boxes are treasures from another period, and quite beautiful to behold.

I would imagine that this piece was not that easy to make, as it has an exquisite round glass cover with a smooth top.  The cube design is visible from the top; however, it is pressed from the underside – leaving a top that is smooth to the touch and easy to handle.  When it comes to powder jars, things can get messy quick, so this cover design was probably very appreciated by the ladies trying to keep their boxes clean and pristine.  The Round Puff Box often has a ground bottom, which sits itself quite well on the dresser or tabletop.

As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase on eBay.  The following link shows available Puff Boxes on eBay.  The search results are usually slim, but these items do show up for sale every now and again.

Square Puff Box & Cover

by Julie Noyas | Sep 8, 2021 | Boxes & Boudoir Items

Item Number:  CC-12
Dimensions:  3⅛” Sq. – 2¾” H
Production Dates:  1915-1943 for Crystal

It has been my experience that vintage puff boxes and powder jars seem to hold a special place in a collector’s heart.  While the Fostoria Glass Company did produce a few of them in their American line, it is the Square Puff Box & Cover that was produced the longest.  This is an item that is usually not difficult to sell, as the interest in them has grown over the years.  Finding them in undamaged condition; however, takes a bit more patience.  Many of the covers (or lids) are found chipped or cracked.  Lifting and placing the covers on the boxes should not be done with great haste, and always done with a gentle touch.

Vanity or boudoir items of the American pattern usually had a specific purpose.  Puff boxes are one such example.  They were often filled with face or body powder – a dusting powder of sorts, usually accompanied by a powder puff.  Once the original product was used, the glass boxes could then be refilled as needed.  The boxes could also be used for a variety of other purposes, in addition to being used as a decorative item.  These boxes are treasures from another period, and quite beautiful to behold.

The Square Puff Box & Cover was primarily made in clear crystal; however, it was also produced in limited colors during the mid-1920s. This item was one of several pieces included in the colored Boudoir Sets of 1925-1926.  The beautiful colors available at that time were Amber, Blue, and Canary.  The colored boxes are obviously much more difficult to find, due to their limited years of production.

As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase on eBay.  The following link shows available Puff Boxes on eBay.  The search results are usually slim, but these items do show up for sale every now and again.

Confection and Cover

by Julie Noyas | Sep 7, 2021 | Boxes & Boudoir Items

Item Number:  CC-10. BL
Dimensions:  5½” L – 4½” W – 2⅜” H
Production Dates:  1925-1926

As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase on eBay.  The following link shows available Confection and Covers on eBay. You might have to add the search term “confection” to the search box. Most people don’t call this item by it’s proper name, so more results might show up when searching for the Handkerchief Box.