Carlo Illario & Fasano Torino – Collectible Silver Vermeil Vanity Case with Diamonds and Sapphires (Circa 1940s/1950s)

An extraordinary, museum-grade masterpiece of mid-century Italian haute orfèvrerie. This exceptional collectible vanity case was masterfully handcrafted by the legendary manufacturer Carlo Illario e Fratelli exclusively for the prestigious jewelry house Fasano Torino. It stands as an incredibly rare, pristine example of luxury Italian goldsmithing from the mid-20th century—an era universally recognized today as one of the most defining and innovative periods in European jewelry design history.

The object is sculpted from heavy silver vermeil (solid sterling silver thickly overlaid with gold), showcasing an intricately engraved surface with a sophisticated geometric, architectural texture. The central clasp mechanism is magnificently adorned with a tailored composition of natural diamonds and fine sapphires, elevating its elegant and refined presence. The interior retains its original layout, complete with an immaculate mirror and dedicated compartments, and is presented in its original custom presentation case signed Fasano Gioiellieri – Torino. This is not merely a utilitarian luxury object, but an archived work of fine art, rich in history and unmatched provenance.

Condition: Very good / Outstanding (Original vintage artifact of museum-grade status)

Availability: Available immediately at Luxos Arts (Insured courier shipping)

Provenance: Valenza / Torino, Italy (Mid-century Italian Modernism)

Main accents: Selected natural diamonds and vibrant sapphires

Metal: Premium silver vermeil (gold-gilded solid silver), engine-turned chasing

The Genius of Carlo Illario and the Aristocratic Elegance of Fasano Torino

The atelier Carlo Illario e F.lli was founded in 1920 in Valenza by brothers Carlo, Vincenzo, and Luigi Illario. The firm rapidly ascended to international renown, celebrated for its peerless bench craftsmanship and its role as a master fabricator for Italy’s most elite jewelers. Most notably, Illario was trusted by Bulgari to materialize their earliest, legendary Serpenti creations, alongside bespoke object d’art for global royalty and the industrial elite.

Fasano Torino, established by Mario Fasano in 1928, was acclaimed for its ultra-luxurious, tailored creations inspired by the golden era of Parisian high jewelry. Fasano’s signature style married painstaking attention to detail with rich enamels, gold, and exceptional precious gemstones, tailored for the Piedmontese aristocracy.

Vanity cases and compacts executed by Illario for Fasano represent the absolute zenith of mid-century Italian jewelry modernism. Today, these rare collaborative objects are fiercely pursued by international connoisseurs and appear exclusively within the curated catalogs of premier global fine art auction houses, making this an exquisite store of cultural capital and a secure long-term investment.

Technical Specifications

• Object Type: Luxury vanity case / Collectible powder compact

• Style / Era: Mid-Century Italian Modernism / Retro / Circa 1940s–1950s

• Master Manufacturer: Carlo Illario e Fratelli (Valenza, Italy)

• Retailer / House: Fasano Torino (Turin, Italy)

• Serial Number: 04463 (Engraved and authenticated)

• Material: Heavy silver vermeil (solid gold-plated silver)

• Gemstones: Natural diamonds and blue sapphires

• Total Weight: approx. 370.3 g

• Dimensions: approx. 8.0 × 11.0 × 1.5 cm

• Included: Original signed Fasano Torino fitted presentation case

The Luxos Arts Guarantee of Authenticity: Elite collaborative works from defunct mid-century master workshops demand exhaustive provenance verification. At Luxos Arts, each archival asset undergoes strict historical and metallurgical analysis. We guarantee the absolute authenticity of the Carlo Illario maker’s marks, the Fasano Torino signatures, the original serial numbering, and the natural origin of the embedded diamonds and sapphires. You are acquiring a fully authenticated, secure piece of Italian jewelry history.