Vintage Art Deco machine black and white terrier dog bangle by Albert Flamand (signed) - chrome, early plastic and colourful enamel paint

Fabulous Art Deco 1930s chrome and early plastic cuff bangle by Albert Flamand, signed with the A Flamand stamp and the word 'depose'. The design features 'Bill and Bull', a pair of naughty terrier dogs - clearly based heavily on French cartoon dogs 'Ric and Rac', created by Pol Rab and very popular in the 1920s. Ric was a white wire-haired fox terrier and Rac was a black Scottish terrier. In this bangle, the names are indented in the dog's collars, though the 'B' in 'Bill' has been rubbed or worn off perhaps as it it not easy to see.

The bangle is in good vintage condition - the range of photos give a full condition report. All elements of the cuff are in place with lovely early plastic terriers embellished with nice red and black enamel paint, and a moveable slim chain attaching each dog to the other. The chrome surfaces of the cuff do show a little wear commensurate with age. It is quite slim fitting, though could be gently adjusted a small amount by bending the curve of the cuff.

In the 1930s Albert Flamand founded the company Flamand Manufacturer. Flamand invented a plating process "Fladium". Fladium is a metal with a protective oxide layer. The production involves an electrolytic process in which the metal forms the anode. The result of this process is a high quality finish which will not tarnish or need to be cleaned. The firm became noted for this process and also for the production of a series of bracelet compacts which are hard to find. The theme of these accessories was well known artists, such as Josephine Baker, French opera star Claudine Cereda and Lucienne Boyer. The films / productions in which these artists starred are featured on the original presentation boxes. Pol Rab (Paul Abraham) was a French artist, designer, caricaturist and painter working during the Art Deco period. Although Pol Rab is best remembered for his canine cartoon characters, terriers that he named Ric and Rac and who were the central characters in his albums, Pas Pour Jeunes Filles, he also designed posters for the theatre and contributed to magazines and other editorial works. His cartoon series Ric and Rac also featured in the Le Rire French newspaper during the 1920’s. It is believed that Ric was the dog that was the inspiration for Tintin's famous dog, Milou (Snowy).