An anodised bronze, cedar-lined box, by Tiffany & Company dedicated to Walter Hull Aldridge, circa 1945. The box has four stepped feet in each corner, and is decorated with 18 karat yellow gold accents – on the front is a pyramid, and on the lid is a set of Egyptian hieroglyphs. The underside of the box is marked for Tiffany & Co, bronze and 18 karat gold, and for the directorship of John C. Moore II (1907-1947). Walter Hull Aldridge (1867–1959) was a prolific and award-winning American mining and metallurgical engineer. The lid interior is engraved 'W. H. Aldridge. One of those who helped to build the pyramid'. Most likely a reference to his time as President of the Texas Gulf Sulphur Company whose logo contains a pyramid. His time as president ended in 1951 and this box was most likely a generous retirement gift for the 83-year-old Aldridge. An exceptionally rare and unusual piece by Tiffany and Company which is undoubtedly one of a kind.
Marked - 'TIFFANY AND CO MAKERS' 'BRONZE & 18KT GOLD' along with pattern number and a date mark
Measures - 20cm L x 10.5cm W x 5.5cm H