Beschreibung:

An American Art Deco gold, jadeite and nephrite table top smoker's companion by Black Starr & Frost, New York, engraved Black Starr & Frost and 14K, the cover of the cigarette holder mounted with a shaped rectangular Chinese pendant carved with figures, the reverse with Chinese characters translating as Good luck for your wedding and best wishes for the future, the upright rectangular box with inset double curved angles and a removable central divider, the removable ashtray on a wire frame with two rests, the canted rectangular base set with four cabochon rubies at the angles, on four block feet, 10cm (4in) high, 13.8cm (5 3/8in) long This collection of historically important boxes and watches was created between the 1920s and 1940s, when the current vendor's grandfather purchsed pieces in Germany in the 1920s, and later in New York in the 1940s. The collection has the collector's eye for rare and exquisite pieces, and a fervent interest in the Bonaparte family. Some parts of the collection, aside from the current collection inherited by the current vendor, which were sold in the 1990s, included a pair of silver gilt verrieres made for Napoleon Bonaparte's mother, Letizia Ramolino (known as Madame Mere); and a silver gilt soup tureen from the Demidov service, all made by the Parisian silversmith Odiot. The collection reveals the highest connoisseurship and the deepest passion for the finest craftsmanship of the most famous jewellers, silversmiths, box makers and watchmakers from the 18th to the 20th century. ** This lot is subject to 5% Temporary Import Duty and the buyer must pay Temporary Import Duty on both the hammer and the buyer's premium at a rate of 5%. Condition report disclaimer