Arthur and John Zimmerman Art Nouveau Silver Card Case, Circa 1903

Description

A gorgeous Art Nouveau silver card case by Arthur & John Zimmerman, Birmingham, England, circa 1903. Rectangular with hinged cover and shaped outline, chased with stylized tendrils and flowers. Still perfect for today’s business or credit cards. Approximately 3.94 inches x 2.76 inches and 2.2 troy ounces with clear marks A&JZ, Anchor (Birmingham), Passant (Sterling) and letter ‘d’. Age-related wear. Nicely decorated. Hinged cover opens and closes well.

Provenance. Well-respected auction house, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom.

About Arthur and John Zimmerman. A&J Zimmerman was a silverware company founded in 1879 by Arthur S. Zimmerman and John Ulrich Zimmerman. The company was registered as a limited company in 1902 and ceased operations in 1930. A&J Zimmerman owned workshops in Birmingham and London, and also had a London Showroom, although most of their pieces were assayed to Birmingham. Items created under the name A&J Zimmerman were generally small, simple silver items like this lovely Art Nouveau card case as well as photo frames and boxes, vesta (matchbox) cases, or inkwells that incorporated compasses or clocks, increasing the value of the silver but still utilizing modest styles and forms. Most surviving items are hallmarked between 1890 and 1910, which suggests that this period was their most prolific and successful. Little information survives on the history of A&J Zimmerman, however, the lasting nature of so many of their silver items speaks to the quality and craftsmanship of their pieces.