by Julie Noyas | Dec 25, 2023 | Boxes & Boudoir Items
Item Number: CC-10. CA (Canary)
Dimensions: 5½” L – 4½” W – 2⅜” H
Production Dates: 1925-1926
This box was used in the colored Boudoir Sets of the 1920’s. It had a short life span as a Confection and Cover, as they were only produced in three colors – Amber, Blue, or Canary. These are not common items, and worthy of special attention. When this same box was produced in clear crystal, it enjoyed a much longer life as the Handkerchief Box & Cover. Therefore, a Confection and Cover = a box in Amber, Blue, or Canary. A Handkerchief Box & Cover = a box in clear crystal. The colored Boudoir Sets of 1925-1926 included the following items:
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.
by Julie Noyas | Sep 28, 2021 | Boxes & Boudoir Items
Item Number: BOT-6
Approximate Size: 7¼” H
Production Dates: 1915-1943
The American pattern produced two Colognes – a small version and a large version. The latter seems to have had little recognition over the years. It is simply overlooked in a few American resource books. In other publications, when it is mentioned, sometimes the wrong photo or size has been shown.
The Large Colognes were actually the first to be offered in the American pattern, making their debut in 1915. The smaller colognes did not make an appearance until ten years later. This is an important fact to remember. Unlike their smaller siblings, the Large Colognes were only produced in clear crystal and they showcase bigger cubes in their design. They came with a Stopper, which is approximately 2¾” in length.
When it comes to the holding capacity of the Colognes – whatever the size – expect some fluctuation. For the most part, Fostoria Glass described their American Colognes as either being “Small” or “Large”. Every now and again we will see a mention of the holding capacity in catalogs as being 8 oz. for the Large, and 6 oz. for the Small. In 1928, a price list mentions the Small Cologne as being 4½ ounces – which in all probability – might be a misprint or clerical error. You should always consider the holding capacity that is mentioned in Fostoria’s catalogs/price lists as being an estimate, not an exact measure.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase on eBay. The following link shows available Colognes on eBay.
by Julie Noyas | Sep 27, 2021 | Boxes & Boudoir Items
Item Number: UR-01
Approximate Size: 4¼” L – 3¼” W – 2¼” H
Production Dates: 1918-1925
Out of the entire American 2056 line, the Chiffonier remains one of the most expensive items to buy. Prices have come down in recent years; however, do your own research to determine a value. Online auction sites don’t usually have this item for sale, and since Chiffoniers are extremely difficult to find, sellers can usually ask whatever they feel the market will bear.
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.
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.
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.
