ALFRED DUNHILL Paris 1928 By Louis Kuppenheim Enameled Japonisme Box In 935 Sterling
An enameled box by Louis Kuppenheim for Alfred Dunhill.
This is an extraordinary and extremely rare desk box with double enameling. The box have been created in the city of Pforzheim Germany at the Louis Kuppenheim silversmith workshops during the art deco period, back in the late 1920 for the Alfred Dunhill stores in Paris France. The superb desk box is in excellent mint condition, designed with a rectangular shape and crafted in solid .935/.999 silver, with 24kt gilt interiors. It is embellished with a fabulous engine turned designs, topped with blue glass enamel. In addition the five sides are enameled again depicting a polychromate paradise bird and tree branches with green and orange leaves, all with Japonisme patterns and accented with details in metallic real gold.
This box have an exceptional workmanship as you expect of the workshop of Louis Kuppenheim, with remarkable details. The borders are accented with chiseled decorations and the lid show a chamfered frame made in black glass enamel. As a note, this box was retailed back in the 1930, at the Alfred Dunhill store at Rue de la Paix street in Paris France.
Weight: 461.45 Grams, (295.80 Dwt).
Measurements: 115 mm by 85 mm by 54 mm (4.52 x 3.35 x 2.13 Inches).
Hallmarks: Stamped with German post 1922 marks, the crown with crescent moon (Halbmond und Reichskrone) for Germany, the mark AD inside a cartouche associated to Alfred Dunhill, the mark for the assay of the .935 silver, one time with the French importation mark of the Swan (Osprey-124), the three-digits inventory numbers and signed in full as follow, "AD STERLING GERMANY 959".
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.
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).
Japonisme & Chinoiserie
The term chinoiserie is from the French word chinois, meaning “Chinese” and refers to European artistic style that reflects the influence of China and is characterized by the use of Chinese designs, asymmetry, whimsical changes in size, the use of lacquered materials and abundant decoration. . Chinoiserie entered Europe in about the last quarter of the 17th century and reached its peak in the mid-18th century, when it was assimilated by Rococo.
Japonisme is another French term that refers to the popularity and influence of Japanese art and design among a number of Western European artists in the nineteenth century following the forced reopening of foreign trade with Japan in 1858. Japonisme was first described by French art critic and collector Philippe Burty in 1872. While the effects of the trend were likely most pronounced in the visual arts, they extended to architecture, landscaping and gardening, and clothing. Even the performing arts were affected; Gilbert & Sullivan's The Mikado is perhaps the best example. From the 1860s, ukiyo-e, Japanese woodblock prints, became a source of inspiration for many Western artists. These prints were created for the commercial market in Japan. Although a percentage of prints were brought to the West through Dutch trade merchants, it was not until the 1860s that ukiyo-e prints gained popularity in Europe. Western artists were intrigued by the original use of color and composition. Ukiyo-e prints featured dramatic foreshortening and asymmetrical compositions.
Pforzheim
The city of Pforzheim has been the center of the German enamellers, jewelry makers, watch, and clock industry since the 18th century. Pforzheim is a city of over 125,000 inhabitants in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, in the southwest of Germany. It is known for its jewelry and watch-making industry, and as such has gained the nickname "Goldstadt" ("Golden City").
Condition: The overall condition of this Louis Kuppenheim box 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 piece has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: D100124AEMR/13.82
