ALFRED DUNHILL 1921-28 Art Deco Pocket Box In Gold & .925 Sterling Silver

An art deco pocket-box designed by Alfred Dunhill.

This is a fabulous pocket cigarettes box made in England during the art deco period. This unusual box was created for the luxury brand of Alfred Dunhill, back in 1921. The presentation box is fitted with a push pressure thumb-button and mechanical springs system. The box was carefully crafted at the Sampson Mordan & Co. workshops in solid .925/.999 sterling silver with accents in polished 18 karats yellow gold and gilded interiors. The box is mainly decorated on both sides, with engine turned geometrics patterns and polished finishes. The craftsmanship of this box is exceptional, with minuses details. No traces of use or wear.

Weight: 84.2 Grams, (53.98 Dwt).

Measurements: 83 mm by 72.5 mm by 10 mm (3.27 x 2.85 x 0.39 Inches).

Hallmarks: Stamped with British mark for England and the city of London; the maker's mark S.M & CO associated to Sampson Mordan & Co. (Sampson Mordan II), the mark for the assay of the .925 silver and the 18kt gold, the four-digits model number, the code-letter of a gothic F for the assay date of 1921 and signed in full as follows: "DUNHILL LONDON STERLING T-179 PATENT 31 S.M&CO F".

Alfred Dunhill 

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).

Sampson Mordan & Co.

By 1865, the Mordan’s manufactory was based at 41 City Road, London, and later expanded to include No. 43. At some point the two brothers were joined in partnership by Edmund George Johnson and Zachariah Watkins, but this partnership is documented to have been dissolved in 1879. Sampson Mordan Jr retired shortly afterwards, and died in 1881, leaving full control of the company to Augustus. Around this time, the partnership of S. Mordan & Co consisted of Augustus Mordan, Edmund George Johnson, Horace Stewart, Henry Lambert Symonds and James Pulley. In 1884, Augustus Mordan retired, leaving the partners to continue the business, still retaining its original name. In 1898, S. Mordan & Co became a limited company under the control of Symonds and Pulley, absorbing the gold and silversmith firm of Johnson, Sons & Edmonds. A year later, this partnership dissolved leaving Symonds as the director. The manufactory based at 41 & 43 City Road, London, was rebuilt in 1900, accompanying the opening of their showrooms at 9 & 11 Warwick Street, London. S. Mordan & Co Ltd finally stopped trading in 1941 when their manufactory was bombed during the Second World War.

Collateral: This Dunhill pocket-box is accompanied by the original fitted presentation jewelry box.

Condition: The overall condition of this Dunhill pocket-box is exceptional. Beside the little normal wear, there is no damage to the silver or the gold and all parts are secured in and in working condition. This case was carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.

INVENTORY REF: D092325ETCB/2.496