Antique DAUM Cameo Glass French Sterling Silver Liquor Flask Pill Snuff Box

Description

Description
Antique Art Nouveau French sterling silver and acid etched cameo glass traveling `spirits' liquor flask by Daum Nancy cristalleries founded in Lorraine. Dual purpose liquor flask and pill/snuff box combination piece. What makes this piece so unique is that the lid has a hidden hinged compartment on top, the interior enhanced in gilt vermeil finish. This portion would have served as a pill box or snuff box. Featuring a glass tapered body in a gorgeous vibrant green color receding to clear. Decorated in raised relief with a charming mistletoe pattern on a textured background. Signed to the base with a gilt signature: Daum Nancy with the cross of Lorraine (Crox de Loraine). Daum Freres developed many techniques that were incorporated into the production of there renown Art Nouveau pieces, combining cameo carving, enameling and acid etching. Measures 5 7/8" length. Sterling silver mounts include a screw top lid with cork interior, threaded collar and detachable tumbler cup sheathing the base. Lovely mistletoe decoration to the silver mounts, matching the same motif found on the bottle. Engraved monogram of initials GB or BG on the lid. The silver mounts are hallmarked with the French Minerve 1st standard mark, which depicts the head of the goddess Minerva with a number 1 beside her to denote a silver content of .950/1000 (95% silver and a higher grade than the standard .925 for sterling.) Bearing maker's marks for Parisian silversmith Auguste Claire, active circa 1895 at 20 rue Chapon, Paris. In overall good antique condition with general wear commensurate with use and age. The lid and cup having some shallow indentions, there are nicks to the inside rim of the bottle as well as a few small nicks to the base edge where the cup meets the bottle. While highly prized by perfume bottle collectors and often mistaken for a lay down scent or perfume bottle, these charming flasks were meant originally for serving liquor, herbal restoratives or absinthe. They could easily hold a substantial amount of one's favorite liquor to be served in the detachable tumbler that sheathes the base. These highly collectible flasks are sometimes known as carriage flasks, as they were handy for short travel. And also referred to as Opera Flasks. Smaller than the usual hip flasks, their size and shape allow them to be easily and discretely stow-able. Imagine arriving at the opera with this beautiful marriage of glass and silver, full of absinthe or a whiskey secreted in your coat pocket or evening bag / purse. Perfect for a night out at the theatre, opera or ballet. They were also used for 'spirits', tonic waters and flavored herbal remedies one could not be without, to help soothe migraines. A convenient accessory for allowing a lady or gentleman a suitable "restoratif" on a cold carriage journey or at a tedious social event.
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