A particularly good quality silver gilt and hand painted case. It has London import hallmarks for 1930 with the importer as Henry Charles Freeman, a noted silversmiths and retailer in Hatton Garden, London. The case is engine turned and gilded to the interior. There is a mirror inside the lid and a lift up interior lid revealing a section below which could have been used for powder or small bonbons. There are no origin marks, although the quality would suggest it is an Austrian example, where some of the very best enamel work was produced during the early 20th century. The case is surprisingly heavy for it's size with no sparing of the silver content.

The front is hand painted in a rural barn scene with characters and animals, it is painted in the Dutch Golden Age style, and the composition looks to have been inspired by George Morland (himself greatly influenced by the Dutch). Note the amazing detail for the small size down to the rope hanging from the roof joist and the sow and piglets to the lower left. This detail is also painted over engine turning which you can just see through parts of the enamel. An especially fine example for the collector, or a wonderful gift for someone special.



Condition

Very good order, slight wear only.


Measurements (Approx)

Width: 5 cm ( 2 inches )

Depth: 1 cm ( 3/8 inch )

Weight: 94 grams (before packing).



Stock Code: 1941 NV19-1