For Sale I have a vintage "Gwenda" silver or chrome foil-backed teal green coloured powder compact with internal magnifying mirror and powder compartment. There is an image of a fine lady in a flowing dress and hat to the top which has a fluorescent and shimmering effect which it is impossible to catch on a still camera. This round compact is in excellent condition with only minor handling wear and the top or image has had little or no wear with no damage, marks or scratches. The clasp and hinge work well. The bottom is metal. The inside of the compact is clearly stamped "Gwenda" and "Made in England" (see photos).  I would suspect that the compact dates from the 1950's. There is no powder in the compact and no box.

The history of Gwenda powder compacts is closely tied to the company's founder, John Hussey and Francis Dawson. The company was originally called Hussey, Dawson Ltd and was located in Birmingham, England. They were known for their beautiful enamel compacts and produced a variety of products, including toys. The Gwenda brand name was associated with vintage powder compacts, which were particularly popular in the 1930s. These compacts were characterized by their charming designs, often featuring scenes of ladies in crinoline dresses, courting couples, and exotic birds. The lids were made of crumpled foil and adhered to the top of the compact under a celluloid-covered lid. Gwenda powder compacts were made in various shapes and sizes, including round, square, rectangular, and oval. Some had a "tap-sift" powder dispensing mechanism on the inside, along with polished metal mirrors.

Unfortunately, the company went into liquidation in 1961, with parts of the company being sold. A new company known as Hussey Gwenda Products Ltd was formed, although it did not make vanity items. In 2015, Birmingham Stopper purchased Hussey Gwenda Products Ltd, and the building was later converted into an apartment complex. 

Vintage Gwenda powder compacts are highly collectible and are valued for their beauty, historical significance, and the craftsmanship of the era. 

The shiny fluorescent effect apparent on some Gwenda compact products is achieved through the use of foil-backed decoration under a protective material, often glass of celluloid. Powder compact manufacturers like Gwenda would apply a high-shine metal foil to the underside of translucent or painted decorative elements, which them reflected light through the top layer, creating a shimmering, jewel-like effect, particularly on designs like butterfly wings or detailed scenes.

I am beginning to list a collection of compacts gathered over several years. Every item comes from a pet free and non-smoking household. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or queries. The item will be securely boxed for shipping.

Shipping costs by Royal Mail Tracked 48 parcel services are £3.45p. (this is the actual flat cost of postage - I do not charge for packaging). I use Royal Mail as in my experience they are the most reliable of postage methods. 

All items dispatched within 24 hours of payment. Payment within 5 days of payment please.