OUR GUARANTEES are intended to give you as much or even greater confidence when you place an order than you would have were you to do so in person. If you place a purchase order with us, we will provide the following guarantees:
SATISFACTION GUARANTEE: Should you change your mind after the item has been shipped, you may return it for a full refund of the price you paid, excluding the cost of shipping. We must receive it in the same condition as it was in when we sent it to you and you must notify us and return it within 14 days.
AUTHENTICITY GUARANTEE: In the highly unlikely event that an expert appraisal raises doubts as to the authenticity of an item we have sold, we will help arrange for its return and refund the purchase price including all shipping and insurance costs, there and back. Evidence of such an opinion from a recognised authority on the artist or item must be provided to us within 2 calendar years from the date of purchase and we must receive the item back in the same condition it was in when we sent it to you.
DESCRIPTION / CONDITION GUARANTEE: We take great care to ensure that what we sell is exactly what we say it is. In the highly unlikely event that we have substantively misdescribed the item or overlooked a problem with its condition about which we should have known and have disclosed prior to purchase, we will then help you arrange its return and will refund the purchase price including all outward and return shipping costs. You must notify of the problem and return the item within 14 days and we must receive the item back in the same condition it was in when we sent it to you.
SHIPPING GUARANTEE: We always pack extremely carefully, use only insured, reputable carriers and are experts at shipping very fragile items worldwide. We use a mix of clean recycled and new high quality packaging. In the highly unlikely event that an item does arrive damaged, please contact us within 3 days of receiving it. We will then help you arrange its return and will refund the purchase price including all outward and return shipping costs. You must notify us of the problem and return the item within 14 days.
This is a highly unusual Continental, probably Austrian, table vinaigrette, antique, early 20th century, sterling silver, cream hardstone, and enamel.
The lid has a central lozenge cartouche in the art nouveau style with a half-length enamel portrait of a lady, her head surrounded by branches, leaves, and flowers in silver filigree, which covers the piercings in the lid. The central lozenge is set in a cream hardstone (alabaster?) panel, edged in silver, which is, in turn, framed by matching cream enamel. The sides and base are also set with cream hardstone panels. The stone is lightly textured, giving it a “silky” feel. The interior is gilt and has a deep recess in the interior, presumably to take a sponge, or other material to retain the scent or perfume. The hardstone panels would keep the contents cool, preventing too rapid evaporation.
measurements
Height:
1.2 cm
Depth:
6 cm
Length:
8.1 cm
Weight:
155 g
measurements
declaration
Lefays has clarified that the Antique Table Vinaigrette Sterling Silver Hardstone Enamel (LA486539) is genuinely of the period declared with the date/period of manufacture being c.1900
declaration
condition
condition
In excellent condition, no damage. Light tarnish. “Sterling” mark clear. Maker’s mark (appears to be S dot then another initial) and country of origin mark (appears to be Austrian "Diana" mark in a hexagonal field) unclear.