Minuet face powder (polvo facial) box

Name/Title

"Minuet" face powder (polvo facial) box

Entry/Object ID

2025.1.363

Description

Round cardboard face-powder/concealer (polvo facial) box, shown from the lithographed top. The design centers a rose/pink pinwheel of radiating triangular "blades" rising from a black disc; across the disc, "Minuet" appears in white cursive script above "POLVO FACIAL" in gold/cream, with an interlocked cursive maker's monogram beneath. The box wall and lid rim are rose-pink; the cream ground is toned and browned with age (foxing), with soiling and edge wear to the cardboard.

Use

Belonged to Gertrudis Caraballo Gálvez

Context

"Polvo facial" is face powder. Minuet was a Cuban cosmetics brand.

Collection

The Cabrera Arús family collection, Gertrudis Caraballo Gálvez collecition

Acquisition

Accession

2025.1

Made/Created

Manufacturer

MINIL

Place

Country

Cuba

Region

Caribbean, Central America

Edition

Minuet

Notes

Manufacturer: Cuban state cosmetics industry (Ministry of Light Industry; perfumery-cosmetics enterprises later consolidated under Suchel) — tentative as to the specific enterprise; the interlocked monogram is the maker's device but is not confidently expandable. Brand "Minuet" confirmed by the lid. Designer of the lithograph not identified. Date: circa 1960s; tentative.

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Location

cap

Transcription

Minuet polvo facial

Language

Spanish

Translation

Minuet facial powder

Notes

Lid: "Minuet" (white cursive); "POLVO FACIAL" (gold/cream); interlocked cursive monogram beneath.

Dimensions

Height

3.5 cm

Diameter

6.9 cm

Parts

Lid (lithographed cardboard); box base/wall (cardboard). Powder.

Materials

Material

Cardboard

Material Notes

Cardboard (box and lid); printed/lithographed paper surface. Face-powder

Condition

Overall Condition

Fair

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Gertrudis Caraballo Gálvez

Notes

owner

Related Places

Place

City

Havana

Country

Cuba

Region

Caribbean, Central America

Notes

use

Created By

María A. Cabrera Arús

Create Date

March 31, 2022

Updated By

María A. Cabrera Arús

Update Date

July 17, 2026