-Dunhill By Verger Frères 1935 Paris Art Deco Oval Case In 18Kt Gold Vermeil Over Silver
Art deco box designed by Verger Frères for Alfred Dunhill-Paris.
A beautiful ovoid case-box, created in Paris France by the luxury brand house of Alfred Dunhill. This oval box was made during the art deco period, back in the 1935. Crafted at the Parisian workshop of Verger Frères with a woven patterns made up in solid .800/.999 silver with a vermeil of 18 karats gold. It is fitted with a concealed lid, an invisible twelve barrels hinge and a push thumb button to lift and open.
Weight: 112.4 Grams, (72.05 Dwt).
Measurements: 107 mm by 65 mm by 20 mm (4.20 x 2.25 x 0.79 Inches).
Hallmarks: Stamped with French marks; the maker's mark Ste. FV associated to Verger Frères, the mark of the crab for the assay of the .800 silver, the four digits serial numbers and signed, "DUNHILL PARIS 8092 Ste. FV".
He inherited his father’s London saddlery in 1893. Following the increase in motor car ownership, Alfred developed the business to include motoring accessories, which he called ‘Dunhill’s Motorities’. This included goggles, timepieces, picnic sets, and leather coats, and it wasn’t long before the brand became associated with men’s general motoring attire. They opened two shops in Mayfair and had a catalogue of over 1300 items. Between the 1904 and 1905, Dunhill introduced their ‘Windshield Pipe’, to help drivers combat the effect of wind and travel on their ability to smoke. This marked both the end of the ‘motorities’ focus and their entry into the world of smoking ephemera, and they shortly opened their first tobacconist in 1907 on Duke Street. The proximity to several esteemed Private Members Clubs around the Mayfair, St James’ area ensured that the venture was a success. (From Nicholas Wells With Thanks).
Verger Frères
They was synonym for watches, clocks and jewelry of unparalleled creativity and design, inevitably evokes the ever popular Edwardian and the Art Deco periods. The celebrated house was founded in Paris in 1872 by the talented jeweler and watchmaker Ferdinand Verger (1851-1928). His sons Georges and Henri, as gifted as their father, joined the firm which, in 1911, was renamed Verger Frères, introducing the famous trademark "VF" in a lozenge-shaped stamp, the acknowledged mark for the most esteemed Art Deco pieces. In the years to follow, the manufacture reached its peak, excelling in the production of the most creative designs of the period. Verger Frères creations are distinguished by their innovative use of precious materials and the outstanding workmanship of their watches, clocks, stands, jewelry and frames. Although often associated with Vacheron & Constantin, Verger also worked with all of the great houses of the time, among them Ostertag, Van Cleef & Arpels, Janesich, Lacloche, Jaeger and Boucheron in Europe, and Tiffany, Black, Starr & Frost, Spalding & Co. and J. E. Caldwell in the United States, just to name some.
Collateral: It is accompanied by the original designer's black suede protective case.
Condition: The overall condition of this case-box is excellent. Beside the little normal wear, there is no damage to the silver or the gold vermeil. All parts are secured in the setting and in working condition. This piece has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: D012524XSEE/2.882
