Houppette Plis are celluloid make-up tubes that contain a feather puff that is exposed with a twist of the celluloid base. The material attached to the outside of the puff have thin wires that allow the goose down feathers to expand as they are exposed. Powder is placed in the Pli by unscrewing the other end.
The word “Houppette” is from the French word “Houppe”, which means powder puff. In French, the word “pli” translates to mean “collapsible” or “fold”.
Plis came in many colors in the 1920’s with a variety of decorations including painted designs and rhinestones embedded into the celluloid.
This ad from a French magazine illustrated how to use it. Can you imagine pouring your loose powder into one and and pushing the other end up and down so that the loose powder covered the feathers? And then powdering your cheeks? What an impractical mess, but who doesn’t love a fun Pli for our collection!
See PBQ Autumn 2023
See other Pli in our Virtual Museum.
