Vanity-case en vermeil, émail, diamants et corail, Joël Helft, Paris, vers 1930

rectangulaire à pans coupés, émaillé de vert imitant le malachite, l'intérieur composé de deux compartiments, un étui à rouge et un miroir, fermé par un petit loquet à glissière en diamants et corail formant une fleur, poinçon de maître d'Auguste Peyroula, poinçon de contrôle français, gravé: Joel Helft, Paris

rectangular with cut corners, enamelled to imitate malachite, the interior containing two compartments, a lipstick case and a mirror, closed by a diamond and coral slide, maker's mark of Auguste Peyroula, French control mark (boar's head), the rim engraved for the retailer: Joel Helft, Paris

some losses to enamel throughout.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Joël Helft, fils de joaillier, naquit à Nantes le 29 septembre 1888. Il s'installa à Paris où il épousa Marcelle Weill en 1921. Selon ses annonces publicitaires, son magasin se trouvait au 374 rue Saint-Honoré, au coin de la rue Cambon, et il était spécialisé dans les matériaux très appréciés des années Art Déco: 'perles & brillants, jade, laque, ecaille & galuchat'. Helft fut malheureusement assassiné à Argenton-sur-Creuse en février 1944.

Selon les archives, l'orfèvre Auguste Peyroula travaillait entre 1904 et 1937 au 5 rue d'Alger à Paris. Il semble avoir exécuté de nombreux vanity cases similaires mais en émail de couleurs différentes, le loquet à glissière orné de fleurs en corail ou jade.

Joel Helft was born in Nantes, the son of a jeweller, on 29 September 1888. He moved to Paris, marrying Marcelle Weill in 1921. According to his trade card his shop was situated at 374 rue Saint-Honoré, on the corner with rue Cambon and he specialised in 'perles & brillants, jade, laque, ecaille & galuchat', all materials cherished in the Art Deco period. Helft was murdered at Argenton-sur-Creuze in February 1944.

The silversmith Auguste Peyroula is recorded as working between 1904 and 1937 from 5 rue d'Alger, Paris. He appears to have made a number of vanity cases of similar design in different enamel colours with the slide adorned with coral or jadeite flowers.