Apollo Studios Ormolu Advertisement (1934)

The vanity accessories illustrated in the 1934 L. & C. Mayers Company publication offer a beautiful glimpse into the elegant dressing table fashions of the early twentieth century. Produced by Apollo Studios, these pieces were crafted in richly detailed ormolu, a term used to describe finely gilded metal mounts that imitate the luxurious appearance of gold. Apollo Studios became well known during the 1920s and 1930s for its refined vanity accessories—perfume bottles, trays, powder boxes, and decorative containers designed to bring glamour and sophistication to the dressing table. The items shown in the publication include filigree metal trays, candy dishes, and perfume bottles, all designed with delicate openwork metal patterns that create a light, lace-like effect.

Among the most striking pieces in the collection are the filigree trays, some of which feature an especially charming decorative detail: lace carefully sandwiched between two layers of glass. This technique allowed the intricate fabric to be protected while still visible through the clear glass surface, creating the impression that the tray itself was woven from lace. The gilded filigree frames surrounding the glass echo the delicate pattern of the lace beneath, resulting in a richly textured design that feels both romantic and refined. These trays would have served many purposes on a dressing table, from holding perfume bottles and powder boxes to displaying jewelry or other personal treasures.

Also included in the line are elegant candy dishes mounted in ornate metal frames. These pieces often feature glass inserts divided into three small compartments, making them ideal for holding sweets, small confections, or even personal accessories. Because of their decorative appearance and convenient compartments, collectors sometimes encounter them listed under different names, such as powder jars, jewel caskets, or vanity containers, depending on how they were used. Their versatility made them a charming addition to both dressing tables and small decorative displays.

The perfume bottles featured in the Apollo Studios collection were particularly refined. The glass bottles themselves were produced by the renowned Heisey Glass Company, known for its exceptionally clear and brilliant glass known as Crystolite. This type of glass was prized for its clarity and luminous quality, closely resembling fine crystal. The bottles were then placed within French-style ormolu mountings, where the ornate metal frames acted almost like jewelry settings, showcasing the beauty of the glass within.

One especially exquisite example includes a hand-painted miniature portrait on ivory, a decorative element that elevates the piece to the level of fine art. Miniature ivory paintings were a traditional European decorative technique, often used in jewelry and luxury objects during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The presence of such a painting on a perfume bottle gives the object an air of intimacy and refinement, as though it were both a personal treasure and a small gallery piece.

Together, these Apollo Studios accessories demonstrate the artistry and craftsmanship that defined luxury vanity items during the 1930s. The combination of delicate ormolu filigree, brilliant Heisey glass, and occasional artistic embellishments such as miniature paintings created objects that were not merely functional containers but decorative jewels for the dressing table, reflecting the elegance and glamour of the period.

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