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a silver box with a statue of a bear and a cat on ita silver box with a statue of an owl and a bird on ita silver plate with a dog on it and writing on it
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MARGAUX SERRANO MAISON DE VENTE

152 - A. Hallmarked + weighed Silver box (800/1000) depicting thre…
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Estimate €200 - €300
Sale commission
Description
A. Hallmarked + weighed Silver box (800/1000) depicting three owls, their eyes set with emerald cabochons. The interior is lined with red leather Inscription: ‘To my friend A. de Siqueira. With best wishes, 4 November 1910, A Santos-Dumont’ Master’s hallmark WH, English hallmarks Dents. Height: 5.2 cm (excluding the owls) Width: 15.5 cm Depth: 10.2 cm Gross weight: This box is a rare artefact from the personal circle of Alberto Santos-Dumont (1873–1932), a major figure in the history of aeronautics. Having settled in Paris in the 1890s, the Brazilian pioneer established himself as one of the great architects of the conquest of the skies. He gained international renown after winning the Deutsch de la Meurthe Prize in 1901 with his airship No. 6, by completing the first officially recognised round trip between Saint-Cloud and the Eiffel Tower in under thirty minutes. A few years later, on 23 October 1906 and then on 12 November 1906, his aircraft No. 14-Bis carried out the first certified public flights at the Champ de Bagatelle of a heavier-than-air aircraft taking off under its own power – a landmark achievement in the history of modern aviation in Europe. Beyond his role in the history of aviation, Santos-Dumont also occupies a key place in the history of watchmaking. A friend of Louis Cartier, in 1904 he confided in him the difficulty of checking a pocket watch whilst piloting his airships. To meet this need, Louis Cartier designed a wristwatch for him specifically intended to be worn in flight. Launched a few years later under the name Santos, it is now regarded as one of the very first men’s wristwatches and one of the most iconic models in Cartier’s history. The inscription engraved on this case indicates that it was a personal gift from Santos-Dumont to a close friend, identified as ‘A. de Siqueira’. Whilst the exact identity of the recipient has not yet been established with certainty, the inscription ‘To my friend’ reveals a direct personal connection with the aviator. Owing to its intimate nature, this piece goes far beyond being a mere piece of silversmithing to become a precious testament to the private life of one of the most famous figures of the Belle Époque. Provenance: Private Art Nouveau / Art Deco collection – Geneva This lot will be automatically transferred to the Drouot storage facility following the sale. No exceptions will be made, except for collection on the evening of the sale before 6.15 pm. Any storage and handling charges will be borne by the buyer in accordance with the current rates. This lot is presented under the temporary importation regime from Switzerland. Import VAT at a rate of 5.5% is included in the buyer’s fees (33.5%). No additional charge will be made in this respect.
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About the sale Art Nouveau / Art Deco Collection – Gallé and Daum glassware, paintings, furniture
Auction location
Auction time 10/06/2026 at 1:00 PM
Pictures credits:
Margaux Serrano Auction House
See original version (French)
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