DUNHILL LONDON 1929 By Bruder Frank Guilloche Enameled Desk Box In Sterling Silver

An enameled box by Bruder Frank for Alfred Dunhill. 

This is an extraordinary and extremely rare desk box with triple enameling. The box have been created by the Austrian silversmith Bruder Frank at his workshops during the art deco period, back in 1929 for the Alfred Dunhill stores in London, England. The superb desk box is in excellent mint condition, designed in a rectangular shape and masterfully hand crafted in solid .935/.999 silver, with 24 karats gold gilt interiors. It is embellished with a fabulous engine turned designs, which are topped with green and blue hard glass enamel. The lid is decorated with a three dimensional diorama-scene of European magical fable stories. Fitted with concealed eleven barrels hinge and a thumb for opening. This box has an exceptional workmanship as you expect of the workshop of Bruder Frank, with remarkable details. The borders are chamfered and accented with engraved decorations. As a note, this box was retailed back in the 1929, at the Alfred Dunhill store in London England.

Brüder Frank

The company was established in 1887 in Vienna under the name of Die Gold-und Silberwarenfabrik Brüder Frank. Although based in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, they became a renowned exporter, shipping their pieces to international markets such as Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Russia. In 1889, the firm exhibited "exotic" silver pieces at the Special Exhibition of Austrian Art held at the Austrian Museum of Art and Industry. The firm is particularly prized by collectors for its fine craftsmanship and use of complex decorative techniques. They were known for their high-quality enamel boxes, cigarette cases, compacts, and coffee sets. They manufactured luxury goods for prestigious retailers, including silver and enamel pieces for Alfred Dunhill and Abercrombie & Fitch in New York around 1910. Their designs typically reflect the styles of the era-ranging from Renaissance Revival to Art Deco-often combined with guilloché enamels. Their pieces are typically stamped with the initials "BF" or the full name "Brüder Frank." They commonly worked with sterling silver 925 or higher continental standards, such as 935 or 950. Due to their strong international presence, many pieces found on the market today bear British or American import marks alongside the original Viennese hallmarks.

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).

Country: European Vienna, Austria; London, England.

Period: Art Deco, 1929.

Materials: .935/.999 sterling silver, 24Kt gold gilding, green and blue enamel.

Weight: 346.65 Grams, (222.10 Dwt).

Measurements: L 120.7 mm by D. 89 mm by H. 22 mm (4.75 x 3.51 x 0.87 Inches).

Hallmarks: Stamped with Austrian and British marks; the mark for the city of Vienna, the maker's mark BF associated to Bruder Frank, the mark for the assay and warranty of the silver. Stamped with the import mark for the city of London, the importer mark GS associated to George Stockwell, the assay warranty mark for the .935 silver, the Gothic letter O for the assay date of 1929, the retailer-sponsor mark and signed in full as follows, "DUNHILL LONDON FOREIGN BF .935 STERLING GS O".

Guilloché 

This technique is used in fine jewelry to enhance the appearance of brooches, rings and pendants. Guilloché enamel refers to metal pieces that have been given the Guilloché treatment and then covered with a translucent layer of enamel, giving the geometric patterns underneath the enamel a colorful hue.

Condition: The overall condition of this Bruder Frank box for Dunhill is impeccable. Beside the little normal wear, there is no damage to the silver. The enameled parts are pristine and the settings are excellent. This box was carefully inspected to guarantee the condition & authenticity.

INVENTORY REF: D040226AENT/10.27