Mark,

thanks for the catalog picture!
I was wondering if there are side plates, now I understand.
I think this is a very rare, maybe unique piece!
The automatic safety in the nose of the comb is unique.
The additional side lumps were also patented by Brenneke.
H. Wolf described a more conventional Brenneke drilling in Hatari Times some years ago.
And self-cocking locks with outside hammers I have up to now only seen from Fueckert in Weipert, the "Kronen" system.

Sorry, I am definitely not an arts expert, can't give you any specific examples.
Only general references like this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Nouveau

"Jugendstil" liked organic, flowery ornaments and motives very much, but geometric ornaments were also used. And I read some mentions about oriental, especially japanese influences.

Fuhrmann