Loading... Please wait...Antique Victorian Art Nouveau 4 Seasons sterling silver menu card holders in original, fitted box. Made in France and signed by award winning French sculptor, Jules Prosper Legastelois, late 19th century. Retailed by Dreicer & Co., New York USA.
Roll-top shaped box just over 7 1/2 inches long and 2 3/4 inches high.
Each holder is approx 1 3/4 inches high.
4 magnificent menu card holders, each depicting one of the 4 Seasons. Each stands on a slightly domed round base. Shield-shaped with ridged borders, culminating in a rope-shaped inner border. Each holder depicts a beautiful young woman, classically Art Nouveau, elegant, largely nude, and a cherub in an outdoors scene, and each one depicts a different season - for example Winter depicts the couple warming their hands near a fire; Spring depicts garlands of flowers and kissing love-birds. Autumn / Fall is symbolised by a scimitar for harvesting wheat and summer is a frolic amidst myriads of flowers and trees.
The holders are made of sterling silver with a gold wash.
The leather box has silk lining with embossed gold mark Dreicer & Co 560 Fifth Ave New-York. Dreicer & Co were the American equivalent of the best of Paris/French style and were ultimately bought by Cartier in 1924.
Each menu card holder is hallmarked as follows: STERLING FRANCE on the back; the sides have French silver hallmarks, including a maker's mark; Front of shield is impressed with the sculptor's name: J.P. LEGASTELOIS.
Condition: very good. Probably never used. Some wear to the outside of the box as seen in the 'photos.
JP Legastelois (1855-1931), won numerous awards during the 2nd half of the 19th century and was recipient of the Chevalier of the Medal of Honor.