Gold, Diamond & Enamel Nécessaire, ca. 1930
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GUEST:
It has been in my husband's family. It was his uncle's gift to his wife in December of 1934.
APPRAISER:
Very nice.
GUEST:
And we really don't know very much about it. And I know there's a little mark in it.
APPRAISER:
It's pretty, it's very pretty. And it has some really nice features, and I'm going to just open it up because the marks that you were talking about with the date for Christmas-- right there, "Christmas 1934." And what this is referred to is actually called a necessaire, and women wore them on their wrists. And they were more than just a compact; they were a place to put your money, which is why we have this sweet little lever here, or a handkerchief, or any other little bits and pieces that need to go in. Sometimes cigarettes, if one was bold enough. And these sweet little drawers that also opened. So you had powder and rouge. Now, the marks that you talk about in terms of hallmarking are actually right in here. And they're very, very small. And I did confer with my colleagues at the table, and it was interesting. We've all seen the mark, but we're all having trouble placing it, unfortunately, because we really want to be able to tell you who made the piece. It's stunning. It is an American mark, it is 14 karat yellow gold, and it says "14K," which is another hint that it might be American. And it does have a serial number, so clearly someone was proud enough to own up to their work. In addition, too, they have these nice little touches like the top and the little diamond set clasp. And then it was worn on the wrist like so, which is really very, very pretty. It's probably made toward the late 1920s. I don't necessarily believe that it was made in 1934 to be sold in 1934. It is so quintessentially Art Deco. It's in very good condition, I do have to say. Enameling like this is not easy to get in very good condition. It's essentially a purse, and it bangs around, and it clashes against things. So the only thing I would be concerned about is you have a little bit of wear right there. It's lovely. I would think that at auction, it would be a desirable piece. I would probably say about $4,000 to $6,000. Yeah, it's pretty. It's very sweet.
GUEST:
I'm speechless.
APPRAISER:
No, it's wonderful.
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