Vintage Ruser hand mirror featuring whimsical cherub design with freshwater cultured pearls and sapphires in 14K gold setting. Mirror measures 3-3/8 x 2-13/16 inches with a glass mirror surface and a sculptural pearl arrangement forming a decorative crown.

Measurements: 3-3/8 inches x 2-13/16 inches

The mirror features Ruser's signature whimsical design with a sculptural cherub figure crafted from textured 14K gold, positioned atop the mirror's crown. Freshwater baroque pearls form elegant radiating wings or feathers around the cherub, each pearl individually set to showcase its unique natural shape and lustrous surface. Round sapphires accent the design in prong settings, creating vibrant blue highlights against the warm gold and creamy pearl tones. The handle extends gracefully from the mirror's base, providing both functional grip and visual balance to the decorative composition.

William Ruser established his legendary Beverly Hills salon on Rodeo Drive in 1947, quickly earning the title "Jeweler to the Stars" through his work with celebrities like Loretta Young, Joan Crawford, and Claudette Colbert. Ruser became renowned for two distinct specialties: elegant pave-set diamond jewelry and whimsical sculptural freshwater pearl designs. His imaginative menagerie of animals, insects, flowers, and cherubic figures capitalized on the unique shapes of irregular freshwater pearls, with his Monday's Child and Poodle collections becoming particularly celebrated. These creations perfectly captured the post-war optimism and playful spirit of the 1950s and 1960s, making Ruser pieces highly sought after by collectors today. When Ruser retired in 1969 and closed his salon, Van Cleef & Arpels took over the prestigious corner location, testament to the shop's importance in luxury jewelry history.