VINTAGE BUT NEW and NEVER USED, Probably from the 1950's or earlier!!

Our Aunt Elden was a world traveler who loved to shop and brought home many beautiful items from the countries she visited.  She purchased an extensive collection of varied and unique compacts and other delicate cases in the 1950's through the 1970's and most of them remained wrapped in their original packaging and unused until today.  We will be selling many pieces on ebay during the next several weeks.

Hello, you are bidding on a gorgeous and unusual vintage circa 1950's hand painted brass case still in its felt protective bag and its original cardboard box from the Dionysius Miniatures Company.  From its size and protective inner section I believe it is meant to have been a cigarette case although it was never used and was bought for its beauty and cover portrait. 

This case is handpainted with a portrait referred to as Easter 1849. It is detailed and lovely, showing women and men in their Easter finery, with a carriage, driver and horses preparing to take them for a drive.  It has a crackle finish to appear as crazing, giving it an authentic antique look.  My flash from the camera causes reflections in some of the photos of the cover painting which appear as whitish spots, but the cover is in perfect condition with the craze lines as shown.  

The case is brass and I believe it to be a cigarette case with a clasp that springs down over the contents to hold the in place.  The case is 3 inches tall and approximately 4 inches across.  Cigarettes in the 1950's and those without filters were about 3 inches tall which would most likely make this a cigarette case although I am just not sure. To our family's knowledge, my Aunt never smoked but she did collect cases of all kinds, particular those that were compact in size.

I have been unable to find a history of the Dionysius Miniatures Company anywhere on the internet. If any savvy ebayer has information to help me with further identification, please contact me with your findings.  This case is an intriguing hand painted collectible from midcentury 1900's.

Please check my other items to save on shipping.  International bidders please wait until auction's end to save on shipping.  Thank you for looking in and happy bidding!!!