Sterling Silver Jewelry Box, Allegory Of Spring, Art Nouveau Liberty Style, Chester, An

Solid silver jewellery box, allegory of spring, Art Nouveau Liberty style, Chester, England, 1900 A superb round jewellery box in solid silver, made in England, in Chester, in 1900, according to the year mark “R” corresponding to the period 1900-1901. This exceptional piece is part of the Art Nouveau Liberty style, an artistic movement that marked the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The lid is decorated with finely executed engraving and repoussé, representing an allegory of spring. This female figure embodies the rebirth of nature, with her flowing hair dotted with flowers in full bloom and luxuriant foliage, evoking the renewal and softness of this season. This type of representation is emblematic of the Art Nouveau movement, which celebrated nature and femininity with elegance and fluidity. The interior of the box is vermeil, with some traces of wear from use. It bears the hallmark of the city of Chester, as well as a difficult to identify silversmith's mark, the initials of which appear to be GR. Chester was a city renowned for its fine silverware, often produced in small quantities, which makes this piece a certain rarity on the market. Characteristics: • Period: 1900 (year mark R – 1900-1901) • Origin: Chester, England, Art Nouveau Liberty style • Material: Solid silver (925), gilt interior • Dimensions: Diameter 15 cm, height 3.5 cm • Weight: 390.7 g • Condition: Very good general condition, with some traces of use on the interior gilt An exceptional piece, representative of English silversmithing know-how at the turn of the century, and a fine example of the Liberty style in Chester silverware.