Photo Credit: Leonce-Antiques-and-Antique-Silver
Austrian Silver Art Deco Box with Rose Gold Inlay
Buy It Now Price: $730 (price as of 2016; item no longer available)
Pros:
-Silver and rose gold combine seamlessly in this chic, silver Art Deco Box that was made in Austria, most likely during the 1920s or 1930s.
-The box is relatively large, measuring 7.125 inches (18.1 cm) long by 3.375 inches (8.6 cm) wide by 1.375 inches (3.5 cm) deep.
-This silver Art Deco box is very heavy, weighing about 15 troy ounces (467 grams). Heavy gauge construction, as found in this box, is often associated with antique silver items of high quality.
-The silver box is stamped “Made in Austria”, indicating that it was almost certainly produced specifically for export to either the U.S. or U.K. market.
-The capital of Austria, Vienna, was a global artistic Mecca from the late 19th century until World War II. Famous Austrian artists such as Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele and Richard Gerstl were active during this period.
-This silver box’s crisp, linear lines and streamlined look absolutely exude Art Deco style. The rose gold inlay also provides a bold contrast to the dominant silver metal.
-This is a superlative example of a silver Art Deco box. It is a very desirable piece, which justifies the $730 asking price.
Cons:
-The silver box does not appear to be hallmarked, other than the “Made in Austria” mark. Instead, you are relying on the seller’s claim that the box tested as high grade silver. However, I see nothing in the item’s photos that would contradict that conclusion.
-The highest purity silver that Austria used between the World Wars was 93.5% fine. Assuming this grade of silver was used, the box has an intrinsic value of about $238 with spot silver trading at $17 a troy ounce. This means the box is selling for a hefty 207% premium over its bullion value. I feel that this relatively high premium is justified, given the outstanding quality of the silver Art Deco Box.
