This pill-shaped vanity case has an amber-covered snakeskin central section, with half-circle carved floral panels on black enamel at each end. The pebble-patterned snakeskin and smooth, flat orange surface contrast with the raised, cool-colored floral carvings. Centered on the snakeskin is a rectangular floral panel, matching the two floral half-circles. The smoothly-carved flowers, like anemones, have large lilac purple amethyst petals surrounding deep blue lapis lazuli centers set with purple-pink cabochon rubies. The jadeite foliage is mottled pale green and white. The stones have varying degrees of transparency and gleam softly. The central floral panel has a diamond border; the snakeskin panel has a line of diamonds separating it from the black enamel half-circles. The floral half-circles have a zigzag border of diamond triangles pointing out. There is an opening catch centered on the long left side. The case is laid flat on a white background, slightly angled with the rounded ends pointing up and down.

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See more objects with the tag gold, vanity case, snakeskin, lapis lazuli, amethyst, jadeite.

Object Timeline

	We acquired this object.
1926	Work on this object began.
2017	We photographed this object. We exhibited this object.
2024	You found it!

Vanity Case, Amber and Snakeskin, 1926

This is a Vanity Case.

This object is not part of the Cooper Hewitt's permanent collection. It was able to spend time at the museum on loan from Private Collection as part of Jeweled Splendors of the Art Deco Era: The Prince and Princess Sadruddin Aga Khan Collection.

It is dated 1926. Its medium is amber-covered snakeskin, amethyst, lapis lazuli, rubies, jadeite, diamonds, enamel, hardstone, gold, platinum, mirrored plate glass.

It is credited Lent by Private Collection.

Hanakarakusa W Brooch

Hanakarakusa W Brooch
gold powder, gold beads, egg shells, mother-of-pearl, colored lacquer....
Gift of Van Cleef and Arpels.
2011-42-2

Applique Furniture Mount (France)

Applique Furniture Mount (France)
bronze.
Gift of Jacob H. Schiff.
1904-20-20-a,b

An elegant vanity and cigarette case in rectangular form with slightly rounded edges. Black lacquer enamel is employed as a rectangular outline on the front surrounding a milky orange mottled amber panel. A circular diamond-encrusted Chinese symbol rests in the center with two small round diamonds spaced apart above and below the symbol. A meander or Greek key design encrusted with diamonds adorns the surrounding top border with partial segments attached underneath. The roof of a diamond encrusted pagoda inhabits the top of the case with a cabochon chrysoprase stone evoking the color of a green emerald. Five amber tiles adhere to the side visible meeting a border crafted from a meander that extends to and stops at the amber panel on the front. The meander continues on the far side of the panel. Black lacquer extends to the ends on the side visible and the front. The bottom is unseen but the edges of a scalloped amber design are evident with a green cabochon chrysoprase partially visible. The photograph captures the top of the object facing downward right of center in an isometric view revealing the top, front and a side view against a white ground with a cast shadow.

Vanity And Cigarette Case
enamel, diamonds, cabochon chrysoprases, amber, mirrored plate glass, gold,....
Lent by Private Collection.
13.2016.28

Its dimensions are

L x W x D: 9.5 × 4.5 × 1.5 cm (3 3/4 × 1 3/4 × 9/16 in.)

It has the following markings

Stamped "Van Cleef & Arpels"; 27830

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Jeweled Splendors of the Art Deco Era: The Prince and Princess Sadruddin Aga Khan Collection.

Short URL http://cprhw.tt/o/DayZ6/
Accession Number 13.2016.18
Object ID 420577319