Antique Cigarette Casket
An antique cigarette casket keeps tobacco neat on a desk and rewards close handling with fine materials and maker's marks.
Antique Cigarette Casket
An antique cigarette casket is a desktop or table box designed specifically for holding cigarettes, cigars, or cards, often crossing over with trinket and jewellery boxes in form. These pieces emerge in styles ranging from Victorian and Edwardian traditionalism to clean Art Deco lines and Arts & Crafts designs.
The versions most commonly met on this page span the early decades of the twentieth century, alongside Victorian examples. They appear in sterling silver, solid silver, and silver plate, as well as oak, leather, and occasional pairings of rose quartz with other hardstones.
How they were made
Silversmiths utilised sterling silver and solid silver alongside base metal and silver plate, often hammering, casting, or engraving the metal with floral scrolls and geometric patterns. Woodworkers constructed carcases from oak, sometimes lining the interiors with cedar or other timbers suitable for humidors.
Specialist techniques include niello work, where dark metallic alloys are inlaid into engraved silver designs, and Chinese export craftsmanship employing twin dragon motifs. Makers also mounted exotic stones such as rose quartz directly into metal mounts.
What varies in quality
The weight of the metal and the substance of the construction separate everyday boxes from superior examples. Heavier gauge silver and thick hardwood carcases provide a solid feel in the hand that lighter plated metals cannot match.
The crispness of the engraving and the integration of specialist decorative techniques dictate the refinement of a piece. Cleanly executed floral scrolls, sharp niello contrast, and precise hinge alignment indicate superior workshop standards.
Mappin & Webb·Wang Hing & Co·Jane Brownett Alexander Jones·A & J Zimmerman Ltd·Dunhill
The Antique Cigarette Casket Glossary
- Sterling silver
- A silver alloy containing 92.5 percent pure silver by mass, standard for quality British tableware and boxes. It carries hallmarks to verify its standard.
- Niello
- A black metallic mixture used as an inlay on engraved metal surfaces. This technique produces stark contrasts against polished silver.
- Humidor
- A moisture-controlled box designed to keep cigars and cigarettes fresh. Wooden examples often feature interior timber linings.
- Silver plate
- A layer of silver applied to a base metal core. This method allowed manufacturers to produce decorative items at a lower cost.
Antique Cigarette Casket: Frequently Asked Questions
What is an antique cigarette casket?
An antique cigarette casket is a lidded container built to store cigarettes or cigars on a desk, table, or sideboard. These boxes protect tobacco from drying out while serving as decorative objects in a room.
They appear in materials including sterling silver, oak, leather, and niello work. Many double as trinket or jewellery boxes depending on their internal layout.
How do I date a silver cigarette box?
Dating a silver box relies primarily on the hallmarks stamped into the metal. These tiny marks record the assay office, the standard of silver, and a date letter corresponding to the year of manufacture.
Stylistic clues also help narrow down the period. Pieces featuring geometric patterns often point to the Art Deco era, while ornate floral scrolls typically indicate Victorian or Edwardian origin.
Were these boxes used for cigars too?
Many larger boxes served a dual purpose for both cigarettes and cigars. Makers frequently scaled dimensions up to accommodate thicker cigar formats alongside standard cigarettes.
Wooden versions often included cedar linings to preserve moisture, functioning effectively as small desktop humidors.
How do I clean a silver cigarette box?
Cleaning silver requires a soft cloth and a gentle silver polish applied sparingly. Care must be taken around engraved areas and niello inlays to avoid scrubbing away the dark infill.
Wooden or leather sections should be kept away from liquid polish. A dry microfibre cloth suffices for maintaining non-metal surfaces.