Silk handbag with vanity mirror and box, designed by Cartier, France, sold in London, 1920s

Black moiré silk handbag with vanity mirror and box.

The handbag fastens at the top. It has a jade knob on the clasp, and a jade Buddha and 'C' in emeralds mounted on the lower-left corner. Inside there is a pocket containing a mirror and a powder wallet, and on either side a pocket with a snap-fastening flap.

The handbag is contained in a red leather presentation box lined with cream satin.

Given by Major and Mrs Broughton

This handbag was owned by Cara Broughton, née Cara Leland Huttleston Rogers (1867-1939), who married Urban Hanlon Broughton (1857-1929) in 1895. As Urban H. Broughton died before he could be elevated to a peerage, their eldest son Urban H.R. Broughton (1896-1966) became 1st Baron Fairhaven of Lode on 20 March 1929, while Cara became 1st Lady Fairhaven. This barony became extinct on Urban H.R.Broughton's death, but a later barony, Baron Fairhaven of Anglesey Abbey, co. Cambridge, was granted to him in 1961, with a remainder to his brother, Henry (1900-1973), to enable this title to continue after his death without male heirs.

This forms part of a large donation of late 19th and early 20th century garments and accessories (with a few historical textiles) donated to the Museum in 1972 by Cara's grandson and Henry's son, Major Ailwyn Broughton and his wife, a year before Ailwyn became Lord Fairhaven following his father's death.

T.246 to B-1972