-Louis Kuppenheim 1930 Germany Art Deco Set of Case & Vesta Box In .900 Silver
Art deco set of case and vesta matches box by Louis Kuppenheim.
A beautiful set comprising of a case for cigarettes and a vesta box for matches. This suite was created in Germany during the art deco period, back in the 1930. Both pieces were carefully crafted with geometric patterns in solid .900/.999 and .800/.999 silver respectively with gilt interiors and embellished with twelve natural earth-mined lapis lazuli gemstones. This set show exceptional workmanship with remarkably details as you expect from the iconic jewelry workshop of Louis Kuppenheim. The vesta is fitted with a hinge and a tension element for fastening opening and a movable ring to attach to a fob or a chain. The cigarette case is fitted with a six-barrels hinge and a push thumb button.
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 were 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.
Designer: Hans Christiansen
Manufacturer: Louis Kuppenheim Co.
Lapis Lazuli: Mounted in bezel settings, with 12 round cabochon cuts carved from natural Afghani blue lapis lazuli with 1.05 carats.
Weight: Combined of 146.95 Grams, (94.25 Dwt).
Measurements: The vesta box for matches is 44 mm by 54 mm by 11 mm (1.73 x 2.13 x 0.43 Inches). Cigarette case is 89 mm by 83 mm by 14 mm (3.5 x 3.25 x 0.55 Inches).
Hallmarks: They are both 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 assay of the silver, the set serial numbers and signed in the border rim, "LK .900 120 0" and "LK .800 180 80", respectively.
German Hallmarks
The German hallmarking system was unified in 1888 (Decree January 7, 1886) adopting the national mark "Crescent and crown" (Halbmond und Reichskrone) for silver and the "Sun and Crown" (Sonne und Reichskrone) for gold. Silver fineness is expressed in thousands with a minimum silver content of 800/1000, but 830, 835, 900, 925 and 935 purities are also used. The alphabetic or figural maker's symbol complete the hallmark. This system, still active in present days, is used for cutlery, plates or other silverware. In the area of silver jewelry only the silver content mark is more often present.
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: These pieces are presented in the original retailer presentation fitted box.
Condition: The overall condition of these pieces is impeccable. Beside the little normal wear, there is no damage to the silver. All parts are secured in the settings. This pair has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: D041324SENH/4.238
