Antique Art Nouveau or Jugendstil boxes. Mother of Pearl and gilded silver. Made Vienna, Austria circa 1880 - 1899. Signed AF for Andreas Fischer. Used for trinkets or any other small items.
Measurements:
Each casket is a little over 3 1/4 inches long at the back and 1 5/8 inches high.
Description:
Rectangular on 3 sides with bowed, arcing fronts. Surfaces, both outside and inside are covered with Mother of Pearl. Inner ridge that catches the lid also made of mother of pearl. Mother of Pearl with beautiful patterning and iridescence, that glows and gleams in various shades from silvery white to green and pink.
The lid is mounted in a frame of gilded silver that expands in the front to form a reserve with a magnificent Art Nouveau figure of a woman surrounded by a flowering tree with colorful mother of pearl worked into the background. The elongated woman in diaphenous robes, armed raised behind her head. The gilt mount arches in the exact opposite direction to the bowed front, adding geometric, spacial interest. The area within the arch of the mount with very organic branches that extend out of the arc to form beautifully detailed flowers and foliage. Flowers are probably chrysanthemums. The relief sculpted tree with chrysanthemums on top shows typical aesthetic movement attention to stretched and stylised natural forms.
Raised initials of the original owner in silver on the lids above the woman.
The silver was gilded, but while much of the gilding remains, much of it has worn away.
Inner screwed in hinges in gold/brass metal that could be replacements, but hold the box firmly together.
Marks and Metal:
The top of each box has a raised silver monogram MTC. The back of each box is hallmarked with a head facing right and a maker's mark A.F. for Andreas Fischer of Vienna, Austria. THe marks were verified by the V&A Museum, thanks to Anthony B. The head mark indicates the finest quality of silver used between 1866 - 1922.
Condition:
generally good condition, but gilding is worn. Boxes open and close securely. Please see enlarged 'photos and don't hesitate to ask questions, which we will do our best to answer.
THE STORY:
the terms Art Nouveau and Jugenstil refer to similar artistic aesthetics, but the former was in France, while the latter in Germany and Austria. About the same time, if a tad earlier, the Arts and Crafts movement incorporated many similar characteristics, which can cause a little confusion with terminology and precise descriptions.
Very typical of the Art Nouveau movement were beautiful women with long, flowing hair that often metamorphosize or transformed into something else, whether animal or vegetable. The use of materials like Mother of Pearl was also popular with these movements, adding a subtle play of color and iridescence to the items.
Flowers and organic plants like this show the influence of Japanese art on Europeans during this period.
These boxes are rare and beautiful examples of the style and great workmanship of the period.
