Edwardian Cigar Box
An edwardian cigar box is a handsome gentleman's desktop storage piece designed to keep tobacco moist and flavoursome.
Edwardian Cigar Box
An edwardian cigar box is a solid receptacle designed to house and preserve smoking tobacco in the early twentieth century. These pieces range from simple wooden desk containers to elaborate silver-mounted items and novelty smoker's compendiums.
The versions met most frequently on this page combine timber bodies with precious metal mounts or take the form of tabletop cabinets. Oak forms the primary structure of many boxes, frequently paired with sterling silver mounts or brass fittings.
Makers of the period also produced pieces in silver plate and copper, alongside unusual novelty shapes reflecting contemporary tastes. Collectors encounter humidors, table boxes and fitted smoking cabinets originating from the Edwardian era and surrounding decades.
How they were made
Craftsmen built these containers using dense cabinet timbers like oak, pollard oak and burr walnut, often housing interior compartments for humidity control. Metalworkers applied sterling silver, silver gilt, brass and copper mounts to reinforce corners and provide decorative plaques.
Specialist workshops fashioned flexible coverings from crocodile skin leather and lined interiors with aromatic woods to maintain tobacco condition. Silversmiths hammered, chased and engraved exterior plates before sending pieces for official assay office marking.
Edwardian Cigar Box Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for edwardian cigar box among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
The selection includes novelty smoking compendiums shaped like fire carriages and coal wagons alongside traditional tabletop humidors and cabinets.
What varies in quality
The grade of an edwardian cigar box depends upon the weight of its silver components and the selection of cabinet timber. Dense figured woods and substantial gauge silver mounts elevate a piece above standard plated or plain timber alternatives.
Construction methods determine longevity, particularly the integrity of interior linings, hinges and locking mechanisms. Superior items feature fully fitted internal compartments, robust structural joinery and clear hallmarks from established silversmiths.
Mappin and Webb·Sampson Mordan
The Edwardian Cigar Box Glossary
- Humidor
- A storage container designed to maintain a constant internal humidity level for tobacco preservation. These boxes often feature tight-fitting lids and specialised wood linings.
- Sterling silver
- An alloy consisting of ninety-two point five percent silver and seven point five percent other metals, typically copper. This standard material receives official hallmarks upon passing assay testing.
- Compendium
- A fitted box or cabinet containing multiple accessories for smoking or drinking. These elaborate pieces often incorporate compartments for cigars, cigarettes and matches.
- Tambour
- A flexible sliding shutter formed from narrow strips of wood glued to a fabric backing. This mechanism allows curved doors to glide smoothly around the front of a cabinet.
- Silver gilt
- Sterling silver that has been coated with a thin layer of gold on its surface. This technique provides a rich two-tone appearance inside or outside the container.
Edwardian Cigar Box: Frequently Asked Questions
What is an edwardian cigar box used for?
These containers served to store and protect fine cigars from drying out on desks and in smoking rooms. Gentlemen relied on them to keep tobacco at an optimal humidity.
Today they function as decorative desktop storage for small items or continue in their original role for tobacco enthusiasts. Their fitted interiors accommodate modern cigar sizes with ease.
How do I date an edwardian cigar box?
Dating relies heavily on legible silver hallmarks, registration numbers and architectural styles typical of the period. Oak and silver combinations frequently point toward the early nineteen hundreds.
Comparing construction details with dated examples in the listings helps narrow the manufacturing window. Maker marks provide the most reliable clue for exact chronological placement.
Are these boxes lined with wood?
Many examples feature natural wood interiors designed to help regulate moisture around stored tobacco. Cedar and oak serve as traditional internal linings for their stability and aromatic qualities.
Some pieces include metal or leather elements alongside the primary timber structure. The choice of interior material directly influences how well the box preserves its contents.
How should I clean a silver mounted box?
Cleaning requires a soft microfiber cloth applied gently to silver mounts to avoid scratching adjacent wood or leather surfaces. Proprietary silver dips should be kept away from wooden bodies to prevent staining.
Regular dusting maintains the lustre of both the metal and the timber exterior. Leather sections benefit from occasional specialist conditioning to keep the hide supple.