Wednesday 31 July 2019



This fantastic Continental, silver, enamelled cigarette case will be featured in our next Antiques and Interiors Sale on Wednesday 7th August.
The silver case is adorned with a beautiful enamelled portrait of a lady wearing a fur coat, hat and muff.
Often referred to as a cigarette tin or pre-1930’s a ‘flat fifty’, due to the capacity to store up to 50 cigarettes; the cigarette case is considered a sturdy container developed to prevent cigarettes being crushed. Generally flat and most commonly made of metal, the cases open out symmetrical and hold cigarettes in both sides. Some cases are designed to hold a packet of cigarettes.
The cases are considered fashionable accessories within the smoking culture, leading to some being made bespoke and from precious metals and adorning engravings, enamels and jewels.
More modern cases may be made of plastic and have built in features such as an ashtray or a lighter.

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