Lie-jorgensen & David Andersen: Large Box In Enameled Sterling Silver & Vermeil 20th Century Art Deco

An exceptional and very large box in solid silver and enameled vermeil, Novergienne, dating from the early 20th century.

The box is round, entirely made of vermeil, and rests on four ball feet. It is entirely guilloché with parallel wavelets on the body and concentric on the lid.

The rim of this magnificent box is enameled with rectangular green cartouches separated by red lines framed by two black bands, themselves punctuated with gold dots. Stylized seahorses adorn every other cartouche.

Two brown enamel lines frame this rim, themselves highlighted with gold circle and star spangles.

The lid is decorated with a frieze of dolphins blowing bubbles formed from gold spangles. They are separated by suns, also highlighted in gold. The same brown enamel frieze as the rim of the box outlines the perimeter of the lid.

The handle is formed by a silver-gilt dolphin treated according to Art Deco codes. The lid is highlighted with black enamel friezes and gold dots.

The interior of the box is silver-gilt.

The box is hallmarked:
. 925 for the fineness of the solid silver
. The letter S, probably for silver
. The goldsmith's hallmark of the David Andersen house

David Andersen founded the goldsmith's house in 1876. It enjoyed great success due to the quality of its production. He died in 1901, and his son, Arthur Andersen, took over the business and developed the use of enamel, which would establish the house's reputation. This technique quickly became inseparable from the David Andersen name. The house grew and employed renowned goldsmiths such as Thorbjorn Lie-Jorgensen. Born in 1900, he studied goldsmithing and painting. He joined David Andersen's team from 1927 to 1939 to modernize production. He then became a design professor in a goldsmithing-related course while continuing to work for the goldsmith. He is also known for his highly recognizable jewelry production, which was awarded prizes in the 1950s.

The National Museum of Norway in Oslo houses boxes made by Lie-Jorgensen for David Andersen. For example, the OK-1992-0111 candy box features an animal motif similar to our dolphin.

This box is exceptional in every way: its remarkable dimensions, the quality and richness of its decoration, with a wide variety of shapes and enamel colors, all enhanced with gold-enameled elements; and the prestige of the goldsmith that made it.

12.5 cm diameter
8.5 cm height

490 grams

Very good condition. A very small, very fine and barely visible enamel chip above one foot.
Hand-delivered in Paris or shipped by insured Colissimo.
France: €20
Europe: €30
Worldwide: €50