-H.C. Freeman 1929 Austrian Enamel Case Box With River Landscape In .925 Sterling Silver
Continental enamel case box imported by Henry Charles Freeman Ltd.
An extraordinary beautiful continental case box, with sponsor's mark and English import marks for Henry Charles Freeman in 1929, a noted silversmiths and retailer in Hatton Garden, London. This stunning and very rare box has been made in Austria or Germany in solid .925/.999 sterling silver with gilded interiors. The case has been made in a cushioned compact bold shape with eight barrels hinge and a push thumb. The reverse is embellished with engine turned guilloche decoration, topped with light yellow translucent glass enamel.
The obverse is completely decorated with more guilloche and painted with a beautiful landscape showing a sinuous river with a bridge, mountains (probably the Alps) and trees with vegetation. This scenically art piece is signed at the lower left side by an unidentified artist. The piece is masterfully worked with extreme details Is also painted over engine turning which you can just see through parts of the enamel. This is an especially fine example for the collector, or a wonderful gift for someone special.
Weight: 115.17 Grams, (73.83 Dwt).
Measurements: 85 mm by 57 mm by 13 mm (3.35 x 2.25 x 0.51 Inches).
Hallmarks: Stamped with British marks; the sponsors / importer mark HCF Ltd associated to H.C. Freeman, the Gothic letter O for the year 1929, the London import mark and twice with the .925 mark for the assay of the silver.
Note: This piece was imported back in London in 1929. The Custom Act of 1842 ordered that imported gold and silver couldn't be sold in Great Britain and Ireland unless it had been assayed at a British Office. In 1867 the Foreign Mark was introduced adding an "F" to the appropriate British hallmark.. In 1904-1906 an Act of the Order of Council ordered that foreign silver had to be marked with the decimal value: .925 for Sterling Standard and .958 for Britannia Standard. A special Assay Office mark was introduced to be used in the addition to the annual date letter, while the "F" mark was omitted. The mark was discontinued in 1998.
Henry Charles Freeman Ltd.
Henry Charles Freeman was a noted silversmiths and retailer in Hatton Garden, London. Henry Freeman started his jewelry business in 1870, founding his company in the late Victorian period and the Freeman name was a mark of good taste and excellent quality. They also imported small luxury goods from Europe. He continued to produce high quality jewelry often incorporating enamel such as in this very rare box.
Guilloché
Is a term used in fine jewelry or objects de Vertu to enhance the appearance of boxes, frames, brooches, rings or 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.
Collateral: It is accompanied by a presentation jewelry box.
Condition: The overall condition of this case is very good. Beside the little normal wear, there is no damage to the silver. Some minimal nicks as usual for a piece of this period. This piece has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: D071223MNEM/3.414
