Items Similar to Fine Silver & Two Colour Gold Card Case Made in Birmingham by George Unite, 1885
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7
Fine Silver & Two Colour Gold Card Case Made in Birmingham by George Unite, 1885
$3,996.83
£2,950
€3,451.80
CA$5,505.89
A$6,166.25
CHF 3,217.45
MX$75,318.15
NOK 40,935.33
SEK 38,586.46
DKK 25,760.34
About the Item
The Aesthetic Movement. A Very Rare and Exceptionally Fine Silver and Two Colour Gold Card Case Made in Birmingham in 1885 by George Unite.
The card case is of broad rectangular form with serpentine shaped sides and a hinged cover. The sides are beautifully decorated with exotic birds, oriental floral sprays, bamboo and a snail, in addition to unusual stylised floral patterns within a circular frame. The decoration is inset in two colours of gold on a matted silver surface. The card case is in exceptionally crisp condition and is contained within its original leather, silk and velvet lined case. The case is very well marked and is a rare survivor from this movement.
"Art for Art's sake", a phrase coined by Theophile Gautier in 1835, became the slogan for the Aesthetic movement - a movement that set forth to promote the cult of pure beauty in the arts.
In the middle of the 19th century, fine art was heavy with historicism, sentimentality and morality - the archetypal Victorian style that we think of today. With the rampant spread of industrialisation and materialism in the second half of the century, there was a movement among a group of liberal artists, philospohers, poets and designers to rid art of deeper historical meaning or moralising and celebrate visual beauty - literally promoting art for art's sake. Furthermore, these free thinkers hoped to spread art and beauty into everyday life, to make it available to the masses and not just the elite.
Beginning in Fine Art with the like of Dante Gabriel Rosetti, Edward Burne-Jones and George Frederick Watts, the Aesthetic Movement was dream like, wistful, full of vivid jewel like colours and embellished with rich textural details. Inspiration was drawn from the Middle East and particularly Japan, from where trade routes had opened after 1850.
Soon the movement spread into design and the decorative arts, with the likes of Christopher Dresser and Edward William Godwin producing furniture, textiles, wallpaper, ceramics and more. Of all the domestic artistic movements of the late 19th and early 20th century, it was the first to be commercially successful, epitomised by the vast array of furnishing available in Liberty's in London. No branch of the arts was exempt and silver, too, saw designers apply the principles of the movement to their wares. Aesthetic Movement silver is focussed on decorative surface detail. The overall shape of pieces was borrowed from an earlier stylistic era, but these forms were now covered in a riot of flowers, plants and birds, with decorative elements from Japan coming to the fore.
Additional information:
Length: 3.9 inches, 9.75 cm.
Width: 2.75 inches, 6.88 cm
- Creator:George Unite (Maker)
- Dimensions:Width: 3.9 in (9.91 cm)Depth: 2.75 in (6.99 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1885
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:Seller: 3743321stDibs: LU978137501232
About the Seller
5.0
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Established in 1967
1stDibs seller since 2013
27 sales on 1stDibs
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: London, United Kingdom
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllAn Exceptional Cheroot Case Made in London by Rawlings & Summers, 1849
By Charles Rawlings & William Summers
Located in London, GB
An Exceptional Cheroot Case Made in London in 1849 by Rawlings & Summers.
The case is broad rectangular in form, with a hinged top. It is beautifully engraved all over with crisp p...
Category
Antique 19th Century English Early Victorian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Fine George III Patch Box Made in Birmingham in 1801 by Joseph Taylor
Located in London, GB
The patch box is of an unusually large oval form, with a pull off cover. The cover is decorated with an outer prick dot and arrow head border, around a set of contemporary script ini...
Category
Antique Early 1800s English Decorative Boxes
George IV Silver Gilt Vinaigrette Made in Birmingham by John Bettridge, 1830
By John Bettridge
Located in London, GB
A very fine & unusual George IV Silver Gilt Vinaigrette made in Birmingham in 1830 by John Bettridge.
The Vinaigrtte is broad rectangular in form with engine turned sides and base. ...
Category
Antique 19th Century English George IV Tobacco Accessories
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
George IV Vinaigrette Made in Birmingham in 1823 by John Bettridge
Located in London, GB
The vinaigrette is broad rectangular in form and is engraved on the cover with trellis work designs and stylized foliate motifs around a rectangular cartouche engraved with contempor...
Category
Antique 1820s English Decorative Boxes
William & Mary Snuff Box Made in London, circa 1690
Located in London, GB
A Very Rare William & Mary Snuff Box Made in London circa 1690. Maker's Mark of Ah With a Crown Above and a Cinquefoil Below.
The Snuff Box is of escutcheon form with plain sides an...
Category
Antique 17th Century English William and Mary Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Fine George III Hinged Patch Box Made in London by Thomas Brough, 1799
Located in London, GB
A Fine George III Hinged Patch Box Made in London in 1799 by Thomas Brough,
The Box has an elliptical form and the hinged cover is engraved with an outer band of foliate motifs on a...
Category
Antique 18th Century English George III Decorative Boxes
You May Also Like
Edwardian Sterling Silver Card Case - George Unite - 1905
By George Unite
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in Birmingham in 1905 by George Unite, this very attractive, Edwardian, Antique, Sterling Silver Card Case, is presented in its original bo...
Category
Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique 19Thc Victorian Solid Silver Card Case, Birmingham c.1883
By Colen Hewer Cheshire
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th Century Victorian solid silver visiting card case. A simple design with a hinged lid to secure the cards inside. Compact enough to fit in any pocket, it comes with its o...
Category
Antique 19th Century British Other Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
Antique Silver Combination Match Vesta & Snuff Box Francis Clark Birmingham 1846
By Francis Clarke
Located in Portland, OR
A good antique sterling silver combination snuff & vesta case, by the silversmith Francis Clark (1799-1853), Birmingham, dated 1846.
An unusual combination snuff & silver vesta case,...
Category
Antique 1840s English Early Victorian Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Victorian 925 sterling silver Japan inspired card case
By George Unite & Sons
Located in Braintree, GB
A beautifully embellished Victorian 925 sterling silver card case that intricately captures the enchanting influence of Japanese aesthetics prevalent during the Aesthetic Movement er...
Category
Antique 1880s British High Victorian Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
English Silver Cigarette Case Birmingham 1911 Joseph Gloster Ltd
Located in Toronto, Ontario
English Silver Cigarette Case Birmingham 1911, Joseph Gloster Ltd. Slightly concave rectangular shape case; front, reverse and outside borde...
Category
Vintage 1910s English Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
$476 Sale Price
20% Off
Elegant cigarette case in silver from Birmingham in 1899
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant cigarette case in silver from Birmingham, England in 1899. Beautifully decorated with leaves and gilding on the inside.
Wear consistent with age and use.
Category
Antique 1890s English Tobacco Accessories
Materials
Silver
More Ways To Browse
Antique Gold Objects
Antique Furniture In Birmingham
Coin Box
Silver Box Japan
Snail Object
Antique Silver Card Case
Silver Card Cases
Antique Japanese Silver Box
Silver Antique Japanese Boxes Silver Boxes
Silver Snail
Dream Box
19th Century Silver Card Case
Antique Coin Box
Velvet Serpentine
Sake Set
Silver Sake
Liberty Gold Coin
19th Century Leather Covered Box