Monday, March 23, 2009

Vintage Musical Lipstick Holder ( Carillon)


I have been enjoying fellow blogger Blogdorf Goodman's series for Lent; 40 Days and 40 Nights of Lip Service. She has been featuring some unique finds .

Reading some posts reminded me that I had long wanted to share photos of one of my most interesting antiques. I bought this about 12 years ago. It was listed at the antiques place as a Carillon. I assumed it was an antique lipstick holder, because well what else would fit so perfectly in those holders? Today's lippies are a bit too big to fit in now, but I can get glosses in. Older lipsticks like Revlon work too.


When I saw this , and realized what it was, it was a must buy . Someone else was eyeing it up but not touching , so I grabbed it, gently. It plays music, Lara's Theme from Dr. Zhivago, and the panels open and close while the music plays. Truthfully, I can watch this over and over for awhile. There is a lyre ornament in the middle and a cherub on top. It is made of enamel and porcelain and was made in Italy. It is quite large as well, being about 9 inches tall.
I have never seen anything like it again, if you have, let me know in the comments.




8 comments:

Annieytown said...

OMG...That is stunning! And it plays L's theme!!!!
I have never seen anything like it.

Beauty Alchemist said...

Hi Annie :) Thanks .
I do love it . Glad I finally remembered to post about it and share it with everyone.

Nice of you to comment, big hellos to Ytown.

Anonymous said...

Stunning is the word for this piece - WHOA it is incredible!!

I want to start collecting the new collectibles...i.e. the pieces that will be considered rare and valuable fifty years from now. Perfume bottles are an easy call -new Lalique and Baccarat bottles, Bond No. 9 Andy Warhol bottles, etc...

But what about other makeup pieces? Would actual makeup (like Chantecaille palettes) disintegrate over time? Do you think I should only focus on the packaging?

Beauty Alchemist said...

Hi Anon,
well makeup goes bad over time, but I have some thats 20 years old and hasn't disintegrated. I obviously don't use it, but I kept it.

I do think packaging is the way to go though. Compacts from years ago are collectible now , and I would think they always will be. Beautful ones like the Estee Lauder solid perfumes and such.

No matter what , they will be beautiful for you now, and thats good too :)

Good luck, thanks for your comment :)

Anonymous said...

I would like to know if you have anymore information on this, my brother bought the same one in a cream colored marble top and base, it plays the same music as yours. do you know who made them and in what years as he purchased the one i have in around 1979 or 1980

J.S

Beauty Alchemist said...

Hi JS/Anon,

How wonderful to hear that you have one . I'd love you to send me a pic if you can.

I don't know too much about them and haven't been able to find out a lot of info either. I do know someone very well versed in antique toys/musicals so maybe they might know more even though this isn't a toy.

Mine says Made in Italy, and Swiss Movement.

Please send a photo if you can to
pooldogusa dot yahoo dot com

I would love to see it.

Anonymous said...

It is actually a cigerrete holder. My mother-in-law has 6 of these holders. all made in marble. they are very rare and very expensive!

Anonymous said...

cool blog!