Vintage Stratton Convertible Powder Compact Baron Black Swan Ballerina Boxed 1950s

A particularly striking 1950s Stratton Convertible powder compact from the maker’s celebrated ballet photographic series, featuring Nadia Nerina as Odette-Odile, the Black Swan, in Swan Lake. The beautifully composed cover image shows the ballerina poised in a dramatic black tutu with pale pink ballet shoes, set against a softly graduated background of pale blue, green and lilac. It is signed “Baron”, the professional name of photographer Sterling Henry Nahum, whose atmospheric ballet photographs were reproduced by Stratton during the 1950s.

The elegant gold-tone case has Stratton’s distinctive scalloped, almost octagonal outline and a finely textured underside, measuring approximately 8.5 cm across. Inside are a circular mirror and powder well, complete with its original mesh sifter edged in pale pink. The compact is accompanied by its original black and gold Stratton presentation box, printed with repeating Stratton and Made in England lettering.

The compact remains in very good vintage condition. The ballerina image is exceptionally well preserved, retaining strong colour with very little wear. There is age-related spotting, tarnishing and wear to the gold-tone metal, most noticeably to the underside and interior. The presentation box has storage wear, scuffing and losses to its finish. Please refer to the photographs, which form part of the condition description.