Erhard & Sőhne inlay Jewellery box, Germany C.1900

Erhard & Sőhne burlwood covered Jewellery box, Germany C.1900. The oval box with brass inlay intarsia design work, original velvet lining. Good tight fit, brass inlay in very good condition, light minimal surface wear to burl, commensurate with age, original patina to brass (not polished up). Integral lock (no key). Marked on underside for Erhard & Sőhne. Measures: 6.25 x 4.75 x 2.125 inches. Erhard & Sőhne had the world-patent for the manufacture of brass-inlay in 1904. They designed and manufactured high-quality brass-inlay boxes and items which represented unique and noble German Art-Nouveau style at its peak. They were well known in the collector scene for the antique doll rooms since the company produced the highest quality Ormolu doll room-accessories and furniture until mid-1920s. Golden years of the company were the first years of the 20th century. The company Erhard & Sőhne was established by Carl Gottlieb Erhard and his two sons in Schwäbisch Gmünd in 1844. Carl Gottlieb Erhard, settled in Schwäbisch Gmünd when he married Debler-Tochter. He became a partner of the company Teilhaber der Firma Gerber & Co, and acquired it with a settlement of 100.000 guilders in 1843. He established the company Erhard & Söhne with help of the sons Carl and Julius in 1844, which is today the oldest producing factory in the city continued with sixth generations of the single family business. Some important works by Erhard & Sőhne were illustrated in "MODERN ART OF METALWORK. Bröhan-Museum State Museum of Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Functionalism (1889-1939), Berlin" published by Bröhan-Musuem in 2001. The Bröhan-Musuem is one of the most prominent museums specialised in Art Nouveau, Art Déco and the Berlin Secession.