Details
Rectangular, the cover and underside enameled in imitation of lacquer with stylized dragonflies over a pond with mountains in the background, with red geometric border to the front, all within green enamel bands imitating malachite, marked on flange with eagle head mark and with marker's mark, partially legible ?C
338 in. (8.6 cm.) long
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Lot Essay

This cigarette case reflects the influence of Eastern aesthetics on Western objects, seemingly introduced by Cartier in the 1920s and largely followed by other jewelers such Lacloche Frères and Van Cleef & Arpels, that would eventually come to define the Art Deco style. Here the dragonfly is a motif borrowed from Chinese culture as a symbol of prosperity, harmony and good fortune; When placed within a frame of brightly colored geometric motifs, however, it creates an effect that is distinctly Art Deco.

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