1930s L.E. Smith Pierrot Clown Minstrel Uranium Satin Glass Powder Jar

Sat atop this jar is Pierrot, the sad clown, pining after his love Columbine with mandolin in hand.  The origins of Pierrot start in the late 17th century, a character of pantomime in an Italian troupe of players performing in Paris known as the Comédie-Italianne.  Unfortunately for Pierrot, Columbine breaks his heart and often leaves him for Harlequin.

Pierrot, often depicted with a whitened face, baggy clothes and a frilly collar, continued to be a popular motif and Halloween costume in the 1910s, 20s and 30s.  "Minstrel" was one of many powder jars L.E. Smith Co produced in the late 1920s and early 1930s.  Originally this jar would have held face or talcum powder with a puff inside.  L.E. Smith did not use uranium in all of their glass making this particular jar even more desirable!