French Art Deco 1929 Black lacquered Large Case .950 Sterling 18Kt

French lacquered case with the crest of the Zorrilla Family. Magnificent cigarette case holder, created in Paris France, back in the 1929. Crafted at the atelier of the goldsmith Paul Delahais in solid .950/.999 sterling silver with gilded interiors and polished finish. It is embellished with applications of black lacquer and decorated with the crest of the Zorrillas family, made up in solid yellow gold of 18 karats. This piece probably associated to the Uruguayan poet Juan Zorrilla De San Martin (1855-1931) or his entourage. This piece show no trace of use or wear. Crest: The coat of arms of the Zorrilla family with a chevalier helmet to the left, garlands with inscribed motto and the Spanish royal crown beneath. Most probably a personal gift by the Spanish King Alfonso XIII (1886-1941). Crest Motto: "VELAR SE DEBE LA VIDA DE TAL SUERTE QUE VIDA QUEDE EN LA MUERTE".  Juan Zorrilla De San Martin He was a Poet, speaker, journalist, historian, essayist, lawyer, legislator, diplomat, professor. The Zorrillas of San Martin were noblemen of the Soba Valley, in Santander. His heraldic shield of the lineage, sculpted in mountain stone, with the motto: "Velar se debe la vida de tal suerte que vida quede en la muerte" (To watch over one's life in such a way that it remains alive in death), was donated by the Spanish king Alfonso XIII to the poet in 1929. Weight: 138.8 Grams, (88.97 Dwt). Measurements: 12.65 mm by 86.87 mm by 11 mm (4.75 x 3.42 x 0.43 Inches).