Cigarette box by Maria Pergay , metal, circa 1970 - Born in Moldova in 1930, Maria Pergay fled her homeland for Paris at the age of seven. A pupil of the sculptor Zadkine, she has decorated the windows of the great Parisian fashion houses with her original creations. Dior, Durer and Hermès are among her prestigious clients. The queen of stainless steel, this talented adventurer in the material was noticed by Pierre Cardin and Dali for her ability to mix the old and contemporary.