A CONTINENTAL ENAMELLED SILVER NOVELTY COMPACT, PROBABLY ITALIAN, CIRCA 1929 formed as a stylised Alfa Romeo 6C with James Young drophead coupé coachwork, the top enamelled as the red bodied automobile with black, yellow, grey and blue details, the sides with geometric or foliate bright-cut bands, the reverse with the motor car delineated by a variety engine-turning, the rear spare tyre clamp unscrewing for the scent reservoir, the wheels hinging open to powder or rouge compartments, the window cabin concealing a lipstick, the body springing open to another compartment with mirrored lid, import mark for H.M.M., London, 1929, also marked 'LA/93' (or 99) 15cm long

Production of Alfa Romeo's 6C series started with the 1500 in 1927, the enlarged engine version, the 1750, apparently winning every major race it entered in 1929, including the Grands Prix of Belgium, Spain, Tunis and Monza, as well as the Mille Miglia, the Brooklands Double Twelve and the Ulster TT. This silver compact may well have been made as a promotional object for the company.