min·au·diere | ˌmē-nōd-ˈyer
noun
A woman's small, hard vanity case or handbag, usually metal or wood, which is held in the hand
A minaudiere is a type of small, had vanity case or handbag, typically made from wood or metal, that first appeared and grew in popularity in the 1930s. These small items are typically carried by hand and are historically considered pieces of jewelry. As such they are decorated in elaborate ways and may contain small gemstones or precious metals. These were designed to replace an evening bag and carry small items like keys, lipstick, compacts, or reading glasses that might be needed in an evening out of the house. The interior of the case may include mother of pearl, lacquer, or precious stones decorating the space. Some of these may also have included a chain or lanyard or holding them.
