A mid-20^th century French silver, gold, and gem set compact / minaudiere, Paris circa 1940 by Helluin-Mattlinger for Boucheron

Rectangular form, the lid decorated with an applied gold cased pierced grill of trellis work, fruiting vine attended to by three swallows, all with collet set thirteen rubies and seven sapphires. Opening via an angular thumbpiece to reveal a sprung dual mirror the base with two compartments, two lipstick holders, tortoiseshell comb. Contained in original brown suede carrying bag. Maker’s mark H7M, assay marks signed to lid interior BOUCHERON – PARIS, numbered 655.

Length – 13.1 cm / 5.2 inches

Gross Weight – 526 grams / 16.91 ozt

Helluin-Mattlinger active 24 rue du Sentier. Paris France circa 1935-59

Several other examples of this size of Boucheron compacts are known, however the present lot is distinguished by the trellis work and more densely populated composition of the gold grill which on other examples are set with fewer stones, an example of which was sold Christie’s New York, 21 April 2016, lot 154 ($7500 incl. prem).