Antique Solid Silver Powder Compact, Art Nouveau Style. Germany, 1925

Elegant powder or cigarette case made of sterling silver, manufactured in Germany in 1925. This is a singularly beautiful piece with a fully modernist or Art-Nouveau-style decoration, so fashionable in the early 20th century. The case is very well preserved and bears a series of hallmarks that testify for the silvers quality and origin. The hallmarks can be seen in the base: there are two partially worn marks and the number 830 between them. The base also bears the following hand-engraved inscription or dedicatory: Esther Bronnen Julen 1925. The case is square in shape and bears a gorgeous decoration. The main motive, embossed in the lid, depicts a mythological and gallant scene with a winged woman (probably a fairy) who throws flowers from a wheel she is carrying. The woman is surrounded by three naked cherubs that play with her, hanging from her clothes and catching the flowers. This is a really charming scene, so full of life and with a true romantic atmosphere. Framing the scene there are a lot of engraved and embossed motives that provide it with relevance and depth. We can see volutes, crowns, pineapples and decorative abstract shapes, orderly but asymmetrically disposed. The result is a decoration full of creative freedom and harmony that wends through the cases sides. This decoration and the noble metal it is made of turn this powder case into a real small-sized work of art, a collectors piece worthy of an elegant dame. Any lover of turn-of-the-century decorative arts will find a unique piece in this lovely silver powder case. Measurements: Side: 3.3 in / 8.5 cm.