VTG BAKELITE POWDER COMPACT w PROVENANCE TO BALLERINA ANNA PAVLOVA c. 1930

Description

This rare and unusual bakelite compact comes with the tale from a Quebec Frenchman who had this compact for over six decades with some others memorabilia related to Anna Pavlova.
The round apple-bakelite compact is centered with red Galalith and measures 6 cm (2 1/4 inches) in diameter.  The interior reveals a metal mirror and powder well.  The compact has a ring for carrying a cord or chain.  The compact shows some wear and small scratches, however, it closes well and is in exceptional condition for its age.
We purchased this tiny compact at the Oka Flea market in QC Canada in 1997 from Frenchman who claimed that these compact ones belonged to Russian prima ballerina Anna Pavlova and is originated from her estate in London.  We purchased compact then and the old black-white postcard of Anna Pavlova pictured her in her white Swan costume in front of a mirror with women accessories.
First, we disbelieve a man, but after researching his tale, we realized that there was some truth to his story as it was well correlated to the actual events that took place in Anna Pavlova's life in London before she died in 1931.  The man mentioned that there were difficulties to settle her estate after her death because the judge rejected her husband's claim for the estate because he fails to provide the marriage certificate.
Anna Pavlova Legacy
In 1930, when Pavlova was 50 years old, her 30-year dance career had come to physically wear on her. She decided to take a Christmas vacation after wrapping up a Ballet tour in England and on the way from Cannes to Paris, the train was in an accident. Although Pavlova was unharmed, however, she was forced to wait out outside on the train platform for 12 hours wearing only a thin jacket and silk pajamas on a cold snowy evening.  Within days of the accident, she developed pneumonia and her illness quickly worsened.  She died in The Hague, Netherlands on January 23, 1931. Pavlova was one of the most celebrated ballet dancers of her time. Her passion and grace are captured in many paintings and photographic images. Her legacy lives on through ballet schools, societies, and companies established in her honor, and in the future generations of dancers, she inspired.  She was also captured by the Payot cosmetic line of perfumes and powder compacts in the 1920th.