I Have This Little Metal Compact Mirror/powder Case With A Ceramic Rose Inside Glass On Front That Belonged To My Granny

[FrillyPancake]

I used to play with it as a kid, it's probably about 40-50 years old.
I took it out to put in my make-up bag the other day and my word it really smells of oldness - how is this, why does it really smell? It's just been sitting in a bag in my dressing room! Why does it smell like this 0 and why so strong(?) - I guess my question is what causes it to smell like this?
It really smells so strong of "ancientness"!?!?!
Weird or what??
Any ideas why this is?

[andy-hughes]

Does it have a residue of face powder in it?

This could have decayed over time, and be causing the odour.

[FrillyPancake]

Andy, good point, but the face powder part has never had any face powder in it! It's always been there with a little powder puff but was never used for this purpose.....this is why I can't understand, it just smells of such old metal - not really powder, but just really old metal really? I just don't know why this would happen to something that's never really been used for the purpose of anything more than just looking in!?!?!?

[murraymints]

perhaps a bit of metal oxidisation with a related fustiness!

[FrillyPancake]

Worst thing is after holding it my hands smell! I want to use it, but want to also try and rid it of this smell where I can - any ideas on how to do this but preserving the look of it, as it's very pretty - it just stinks! lol.
Fustiness MM - a very good description ha ha!!!

[murraymints]

fill it with baking soda and leave for a few days..

[andy-hughes]

If the puff is still there, maybe that has decayed?

If not, as murraymints suggests, it could be simple metal oxidisation.

As a first step, try soaking it in warm water with a squirt of detergent in, and then had dry it, see if that gets rid of the odour.

[HansUrbancka]

andy-hughes could well be correct because, historically, powder puffs were made from down feathers or fleece. Such materials can develop an odour, if not used.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powder_puff

Hans.

[theprof]

Can we clarify if the smell seems to come from the the case or from the puff?

[EDDIE51]

^^ Yes it is hardly likely it is the metal case that smells, it will be the 'puff' so just replace it with a new one.

[FrillyPancake]

It seems like it's coming from the case itself - it just smells "metally"?

[theprof]

EDDIE51, I don't agree. The smell is probably due to 1-octene-3-one although there are a few other organic suspects that could do this.

[theprof]

Thanks FrillyPancake. My next question is what type of metal do you think the case is made from? Describe what it looks like including colour and/or any tarnishing. Take a guess if you're not certain - just give us your best shot. Any varnish or lacquer on the case?

I've got a meeting for the rest of the afternoon, but I'll get back asap.

[theprof]

Also can you check if the case is magnetic please.

[FrillyPancake]

I think it's just a cheapish metal, nothing expensive...Really not too sure what it's made of, it's quite lightweight but I just love it and want to use it, it needs a clean I think, but I don't want to ruin it by washing it and it tarnishing or anything...

[FrillyPancake]

It's a black polished case with a raised and bevelled glass raised bis on the outside of the lid that holds two little roses and some little leaves adourning it, actually it's quite heavy - medium weight, it's got a brassy look to the edges and interior. It has a little catch clip which lifts up inside to show the little powder puff thingy, which is still intact. It's a lovely little piece it's just needing some love and attention is all. It has stamped on it inside "made in MELISSA, London" if that's any help?

[EDDIE51]

Any like it on here?
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=melissa+compact+vintage&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=662&source=lnms&tbm=isch&;sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwicisiWwe_QAhWlD8AKHY1EDDMQ_AUIBigB

[FrillyPancake]

Very similar to the ninth picture along second row but no picture of the top of the compact plus mine is a slightly more rectangular shape.......

[FrillyPancake]

Melissa lucite rose is the absolute closest but mine is rectangular and not oval. This is it!!! Thanks Eddie!!!

[FrillyPancake]

Not that I would ever ever sell it as its got far too much sentimental value but do you think it's worth something?

[EDDIE51]

On my computer there are only 6 pictures in a row so I can't see a 9th one.