Louis Kuppenheim 1900 Germany Neo Classic Vesta Oval Box In 900 Silver Pill Box
Neo classic vesta box by Louis Kuppenheim.
A beautiful vesta box, created in Germany in the turn of the 20th century, back in the 1900. This superb pocket oval box was carefully crafted with neo classical patterns in solid .900/.999 silver. Show exceptional workmanship with remarkably details as you expect from the iconic jewelry workshop of Louis Kuppenheim. It is fitted with a hinge and a tension element for fastening opening and closing. Actually this box can be easily used as a pill box.
Weight: 24.3 Grams, (15.58 Dwt).
Measurements: 46 mm by 25 mm by 17 mm (1.81 x 0.98 x 0.67 Inches).
Hallmarks: Stamped with German pre 1922 marks, the maker's mark LK inside an oval cartouche associated to the workshop of Louis Kuppenheim, the mark for the silver assay 900 and signed in the border rim, "LK .900".
Louis Kuppenheim
The company was grounded in 1854 by Louis Kuppenheim (1824-1889) and Heinrich Witzenmann, specialized in silver and gold and -enameled artefacts. On the World Exhibition in 1900 the firm received a gold medal for a letter opener. In that same year the company opened a branch in the Rue Richelieu 67 in Paris. In these years some designs by Hans Christiansen were executed, amongst them very delicately enameled silver cigarette cases. The enamels on the several silver and gold pieces was of very high standard, and sometimes even gems like rubies were applied. Very famous were the ladies silver vanity cases with cute animals like cats and monkeys that are regularly sold on the better auctions and are very wanted.
Vesta boxes
Vesta cases are small portable boxes made to contain matches and keep them dry. They take their name from the Roman goddess of fire and the hearth, although in the United States they are more prosaically know as match safes. The first successful friction match appeared in 1826, and in 1832 William Newton patented the "wax vesta" in England. It consisted of a wax stem with embedded cotton threads and a tip of phosphorus. Antique Vesta Cases were made popular in Victorian times where they were worn on a chatelaine belt or men's fob to contain wax matches. They're usually solid sterling silver, and on the rare occasion, solid gold. Quite often engraved with the owner's initials.
Collateral: This piece is presented and accompanied in a jewelry pouch.
Condition: The overall condition of this vesta box is impeccable. Beside the little normal wear, there is no damage to the silver. All parts are secured in the settings. This piece has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: D010823ANTJ/.7009
