Cardeilhac: Letter Opener Or Paper Cutter In Sterling Silver And Lapis Lazuli. Early 20th Century.

Magnificent letter opener from the Cardeilhac house, from the Art Deco period.

The triangular solid silver blade is very fine and elegant. The slightly truncated handle is made of lapis lazuli of a magnificent deep blue punctuated with a few pyrite flakes.

Two laurel leaf friezes frame the handle. The base is decorated with a large fleurette.

The blade is hallmarked:
. Minerva 1st grade before 1973 for 950/°° solid silver.
. Silversmith's mark: AC with a Legion of Honor and a crescent for Marie-Amélie Cardeilhac, active from 1904 to 1920.

Marie-Amélie Cardeilhac is the widow of Ernest Cardeilhac, himself the grandson of the house's founder, Antoine-Vital Cardeilhac. She took over the business upon her husband's death in 1904 and passed it on to her sons in 1920.

Magnificent letter opener with an exceptional handle made of premium lapis lazuli, reflecting the Art Deco style, softened by two laurel leaf friezes.

It is a very fine, very elegant piece reminiscent of Italian stilettos.

21.5 cm long

46.42 grams

Very good condition. Scratches from use on the blade.

Hand-delivered in Paris or shipped by insured Colissimo.

France: €15
Europe: €20
Worldwide: €35