CARTIER: AGATE, DIAMOND AND SAPPHIRE CASE, CIRCA 1912
Rectangular with rounded corners, formed from hollowed out agate, the cover set with rose-cut diamonds, the hinge and catch further set with cabochon, rose and calibré-cut sapphires, signed Cartier Paris, Londres, New York, numbered 3247, workshop mark of Henri Lavabre, French assay mark, length 9.7cm
Footnotes:
Provenance
Mrs Robert Emmet (1875-1947)
Descent to the current owner

Mrs Robert Emmet (1875-1947), born Louise Garland, was the daughter of James Garland, co-founder and Vice President of the First National Bank of the City of New York and organiser and builder of the Northern Pacific Railway. In 1896, she married Robert Emmet and the New York Times described their wedding as 'one of the prettiest house weddings of the season'. The service was performed by Archbishop Corrigan under a canopy of red roses in the home of the bride's parents on Madison Avenue, New York, and the entire choir of St. Patrick's Cathedral provided the vocal music accompanied by the organ and Lander's Orchestra. The couple moved to England and settled in Warwickshire buying 500 acres of land and building a manor house in Elizabethan style called Moreton Paddox. During World War One, Moreton Paddox was converted into a 50-bed convalescent hospital for which Louise received a citation from the War Office expressing the highest commendation and most appreciative thanks. A noted collector like her father, Louise was a valued client of Cartier and purchased superlative jewels when visiting their stores in Paris, London and New York. The two lots offered here are from her exquisite personal collection and have been enjoyed by four generations of her family.

Henri Lavabre first registered his mark in 1904 and his atelier worked for Cartier exclusively from 1906 to 1921. The workshop was closed between 1914 and 1918 during World War I. He supplied a number of cigarette and vanity cases to Cartier in the 1920s.

For a carved agate cigarette case of similar design, Cartier Paris, 1912, see Nadelhoffer, H., 'Cartier', Thames & Hudson, London, 2007, ill.p.200, no.252.

There is a chip to the agate on the cover near the hinge. Base of box is cracked. Signature and all marks on reverse of clasp. Fine quality workmanship despite damage to agate on base and lid. Otherwise in very good condition.