Art Nouveau (7) Piece Sterling Silver Vanity "Necessaire" Ensemble Circa 1894

Details

Description

Fabulous hard to find late 19th century Art Nouveau ensemble of seven marked sterling silver vanity items to decorate and … Read more Fabulous hard to find late 19th century Art Nouveau ensemble of seven marked sterling silver vanity items to decorate and utilize for the commode; consisting of;

1) Matching hallmarked silver backed hand held mirror with beveled plated original glass. Etched floral and acanthus leaves decor to body and both sides of handle. The hallmark ("Z", an Anchor, A Passant Lion, "t") . See image. The "Z" indicates either the maker or the 1874 year of assay. The anchor indicates the item was assayed (authenticated for purity) in Birmingham, England. The lion indicates .925 silver which is sterling silver. The "t" indicates the item was produced in 1893.
The mirror is completely original with no repairs or restoration;l there are a couple of dents to the back side which is common for this item since the silver is soft and wrapped then pressed around a thin wood surface (see images).
10" x 4" x 3/4"

2) Matching hallmarked silver backed hair brush with original firm natural bristles. Etched floral and acanthus leaves decor to body and handle
Sterling silver with same marks as above. As with the hand held mirror, this brush has a couple of dents to the back side (common but not very noticeable--see images) The hallmark to the right is the letter "u" which indicates 1894 manufacture. The "t" and the "u" could be days apart as the fiscal year was July 1893 to July 1894
9" x 3" x 2"

3) Matching hallmarked silver backed clothes brush with original firm natural bristles. Etched floral and acanthus leaves decor. Same markings as above mirror; would have been a three piece matching set).
6" x 1 3/4" x 1 1/2"

4) Sterling Silver shoehorn, marked "Jacobi & Jenkins Sterling" (see image of mark) in floral wreath relief decor to both sides. Jacobi & Jenkins was a Baltimore-based silversmith company that was established by A.,Jacobi in 1879 and later merged with Jenkins until 1908.
Jacobi & Jenkins was known for producing silver pieces in the repoussé style, a technique of pushing out a pattern from the back of the metal. Condition is excellent with no restoration or flaws.
5 1/2" long x 1 5/8" wide

5) Tooth brush is marked "Sterling" on the handle and "France" on the bone base. The toothbrush has the original firm natural bristles. Condition is excellent and completely original.
6" x 3/4" x 3/4"

6) Sterling silver handled shaving brush; marked "Jacobi & Jenkins Sterling" on the base of the silver handle; ending in natural horse hair bristles (mounts in a contemporary wood stand). All original in excellent condition. Other marks in the same proximity include "Fine" and "1888"; probably indicating year of manufacture (see images).
7/8": diameter handle x 4 1/4" long

7) Fancy Nail File; "Sterling" is marked on both sides of the handle, which boasts repousse decoration in raised floral pattern. All original and in very good condition with little wear to the file.
5 1/2" long x 3/4" wide (at handle)

I have photographed all the marks to validate sterling; some are more clear than others (see all images). Ensemble put together of American, British, and French manufacturers.

Provenance: From my own collection and display; this set of (7) items is a combination of different manufacturers which I put together over the years and showcased for at least 40 years.

Note: I am a second generation antiques dealer and have been in business for 50 years; I am also a member of several prestigious antique associations. Thus, I am well qualified to inspect and evaluate the products I offer for sale and I guarantee them to be authentic and as I have described. See less