Description :

A curated assortment of twelve vintage vanity compacts and hinged perfume boxes by Estée Lauder, Max Factor, and Department 56, featuring animal and nature motifs in enamel, crystal, and gilt finishes. Each showcases intricate craftsmanship and collectible charm, with many still containing traces of original solid perfume.

Estée Lauder “Kitten in Basket” Solid Perfume Compact

Dimensions: 1.75" tall × 2" wide

Material: Gold-tone metal with cream enamel and coral bow

Design: Reclining kitten with green crystal eyes nestled in a woven basket

Fragrance: Beautiful

Origin: Estée Lauder, 1990s

Style Notes: One of the brand’s most beloved animal designs, prized for its delicate color palette and charming detail.

Estée Lauder “Playful Kittens” Solid Perfume Compact

Dimensions: 1.75" tall × 2.25" wide

Material: Gold-tone and multicolor enamel

Design: Two kittens lounging atop a red jeweled cushion

Fragrance: Dazzling Silver

Origin: Estée Lauder, circa 2000

Style Notes: A whimsical, highly detailed piece symbolizing the height of Estée Lauder’s collectible compacts.

Estée Lauder “Rooster” Solid Perfume Compact

Dimensions: 2" tall × 1.75" wide

Material: Gold-tone with green, red, and enamel accents; Swarovski crystals

Design: Colorful rooster with sculpted feathers and jeweled collar

Fragrance: White Linen

Origin: Estée Lauder, 2001

Style Notes: A bold, vibrant compact showcasing dynamic enamel work and spirited character.

Estée Lauder “Honeycomb with Bee” Solid Perfume Compact

Dimensions: 1.75" diameter

Material: Gold-tone with amber enamel and Swarovski crystal bee

Design: Circular honeycomb pattern topped with jeweled bee motif

Fragrance: Beautiful

Origin: Estée Lauder, late 1990s

Style Notes: Intricately hand-painted and gem-set, this compact exemplifies Estée Lauder’s artistry in miniature.

Dimensions: 1.5" tall × 2" wide

Material: Gold-tone metal with green enamel and rhinestones

Design: Dragonfly with outstretched wings perched over a dark enamel base

Fragrance: Pleasures

Origin: Estée Lauder, 2002

Style Notes: A luminous and airy design, admired for its lifelike detailing and vibrant coloring.

Estée Lauder “Green Turtle” Solid Perfume Compact

Dimensions: 1.25" tall × 2" wide

Material: Gold-tone with translucent green enamel shell

Design: Hinged turtle form with geometric shell panels

Fragrance: Beautiful

Origin: Estée Lauder, 1990s

Style Notes: A cheerful and tactile collectible, balancing whimsy and fine enamel craftsmanship.

Dimensions: 1.25" tall × 2" wide

Material: Gold-tone metal with faux pearl shell

Design: Turtle with iridescent pearl-effect carapace and beaded gold trim

Fragrance: Beautiful

Origin: Estée Lauder, 1990s

Style Notes: Understated and elegant; a rare shell variant sought by compact collectors.

Estée Lauder “Mother & Baby Bears” Solid Perfume Compact

Dimensions: 2" tall × 2" wide

Material: Gold-tone with red and navy enamel accents

Design: Seated mother bear holding a cub, both in painted enamel clothing

Fragrance: Beautiful

Origin: Estée Lauder, 1998

Style Notes: Nostalgic and endearing, representing one of Estée Lauder’s most heartwarming designs.

Estée Lauder “Panda with Bamboo” Solid Perfume Compact

Dimensions: 1.75" tall × 1.5" wide

Material: Gold-tone metal with black, cream, and green enamel

Design: Panda seated upright, holding a bamboo stalk

Fragrance: Knowing

Origin: Estée Lauder, 1993

Style Notes: A charming creation that captures Estée Lauder’s playful approach to animal forms.

Estée Lauder “Panda Face” Solid Perfume Compact

Dimensions: 1.75" diameter

Material: Gold-tone with black and beige enamel

Design: Simplified stylized panda face with circular body form

Fragrance: Beautiful

Origin: Estée Lauder, 1993

Style Notes: Minimalist yet striking; the graphic design stands out within Estée Lauder’s animal series.

Department 56 “Lucky Bug” Ladybug Hinged Box

Dimensions: 1.5" tall × 1.75" wide

Material: Porcelain and metal

Design: Oval yellow enamel box with raised red-and-black ladybug lid

Origin: Department 56, late 1990s

Style Notes: A cheerful vanity trinket; pairs beautifully with nature-themed compacts.

Max Factor “Spring Song Bird’s Nest” Perfume Box

Dimensions: 2" tall × 2.5" wide

Material: Gold-tone metal with painted eggs

Design: Textured gold nest with perched bird and three speckled eggs

Fragrance: Hypnotique Spring Song (originally contained solid perfume)

Origin: Max Factor, 1960s

Style Notes: A rare and nostalgic piece from Max Factor’s collectible vanity series; an ideal complement to later Estée Lauder designs.

Collecting Notes:

This curated selection illustrates the evolution of solid perfume and vanity box artistry from the 1960s through the early 2000s. Estée Lauder dominates the ensemble with ten intricately crafted compacts, while Max Factor and Department 56 contribute earlier and companion examples of vanity collectibles. Together, they form a cohesive and visually engaging cross-section of mid- to late-century perfume presentation design.