Sterling Silver Lady’s Make-up Compact with Niello Inlay. The case is 2 9/16” diameter x 7/8” deep. 81.6 dwt. (126.8 g) weight. It hangs from a looped chain 12” long. Over-all it is 11” long including the tassle and carrying chain. It was made by R. Blackinton & Co., of North Allleboro, Massachusetts. Their logo touch mark; “R” “B”star and “Co” is on the rim of the rear lid together with “STERLING”, these are slightly obcured on a rounded edge. Both lids are mirrored. The rear compartment has a disc of rouge, and the front compartment has a larger cake of face powder, and a satin cloth application disc. They appear un-used, and there is a sweet perfume smell. These make-ups are mounted back to back in a replaceable silver disc, which clicks into the compact body. It’s edge is nicely marked; “STERLING”, the Blackinton logo touchmarks, and “pat applied for”. The inlet engraving work is called “Niello”; a black metallic alloy made with any of several mixtures of sulfer with copper, silver or lead. This black alloy is then used to fill engraving and inletting, in silver or another metal. The decoration on this compact has a neoclassical aesthetic of a hanging flower basket, garlands of leaves, and a leaf border. The engraving on the basket of flowers is beautifully done. The tassel decoration at the bottom has a six-sided “teepee” with niello inlays on each side spouting 16 fox-tail silver tassels, ending in beads. The engraving and niello decoration is just lovely. Such fine craftsmanship, this compact was probably made in the 1920’s. Price: $425.00 (ref B-495)