Silver-gilt Toiletry Set By Lionel Alfred Crichton, London, 1917

A George V period (1910-1936) silver-gilt toiletry set, comprising an oblong, canted-sided tray, a large jewelry box with detachable velvet lining, two hairbrushes, two clothes brushes (one silk), a comb, and a hand mirror. This toiletry set is preserved in its original burgundy leather case. The border of each piece is chased with straps on a matte background, engraved with an 18th-century style cartouche surrounding a blank shield. The rich and very finely crafted decoration is composed of naturalistic plant and animal motifs. The vanity case and tray feature a Renaissance-style grotesque design, with a mascaron, animals, and scrolling foliage, all within a fanciful architectural setting.
Crichton Brothers mark: "CRICHTON BROS LONDON & NEW YORK", and several English hallmarks: Maker's mark with the initials "LAC" (for Lionel Alfred Crichton) within a rectangle.
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Assay mark: lion passant, 1916-1933.
City of London hallmark: leopard's head.
Date letter "b" for the year 1917.
Box dimensions: W 33,5cm D 25cm H 10cm.
Tray dimensions: W 45cm  D  34cm.
Mirror dimensions: W  9cm  H  25,5cm.
Hairbrush dimensions: W 11,3cm H 27,5cm.
Clothes brushes: L 7 cm, H 21 cm.
Weight of weighable pieces: 5,110 gr.
Crichton Brothers was an English silversmith active in the late 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, specializing in the manufacture and marketing of high-end silverware. Crichton Brothers was founded around 1890 by Lionel Alfred Crichton at 29 Church Street, Kensington. It also had branches in New York and Chicago.