Edwardian Silver Cigar Box
An Edwardian silver cigar box protects a collection with precious metal and timber, holding a distinct presence on any table.
Edwardian Silver Cigar Box
An edwardian silver cigar box brings together solid sterling silver panels, silver mounts, or silverplate combined with sturdy timbers like oak and cedar. These containers range from straightforward rectangular table boxes to complex smoking compendiums and novelty pieces.
The selections span early twentieth-century production alongside pieces labelled across the Victorian era and the nineteen-twenties. Buyers frequently encounter cedar-lined wooden bodies wrapped in silver or fitted with heavy sterling lids and mounts.
Many examples incorporate practical internal divisions, sliding drawers, or domed lids designed to keep tobacco moist and secure. Makers also produced pocket variants including silver cases and crocodile skin combinations for personal transport.
How they were made
Silversmiths utilised heavy gauge sterling silver and silverplate for exterior shells, often mounting the metalwork onto durable oak or cedar carcasses. Internal linings relied on aromatic wood to preserve the moisture and flavour of cigars.
Craftsmen applied chased decoration, hinged lids with carry handles, and secure lock mechanisms to enhance both utility and visual weight. Leather workers also wrapped rigid frames in crocodile skin alongside fitted silver frames.
One remarkably imaginative smoking compendium takes the physical shape of an equestrian fire carriage, complete with glass and silver fittings.
What varies in quality
Quality rests upon the weight of the sterling silver used in the mounts and lids, alongside the joinery of the underlying oak or cedar box. Substantial gauge metal and tight hinge alignment separate robust utilitarian pieces from lighter decorative items.
The presence of recognised retail signatures or maker stamps adds distinction to an individual box. Superior examples also retain intact internal cedar linings and functional locking mechanisms with matching keys.
Mappin & Webb·Sampson Mordan·William Comyns·Goldsmiths & Silversmiths
The Edwardian Silver Cigar Box Glossary
- Sterling silver
- A standard alloy consisting of ninety-two point five percent silver by mass, with the remainder being copper or other metals. This material provides the primary metallic sheen on high-grade boxes.
- Cedar lining
- An interior wood fitting utilised inside tobacco containers to regulate humidity and impart a traditional aroma. This wood protects the cigars from drying out.
- Smoking compendium
- A multi-functional desk or table set that combines a cigar box with match holders, vesta compartments, or ash trays. These pieces represent larger, more elaborate smoking accessories.
- Silverplate
- A base metal coated with a thin layer of silver through electroplating or mechanical bonding. It offers the appearance of solid silver at a different tier of manufacture.
- Mounts
- Decorative or structural metal fittings applied to the corners, edges, or lids of wooden boxes. These elements reinforce the structure while adding bright metallic contrast.
Edwardian Silver Cigar Box: Frequently Asked Questions
Are these boxes still usable for cigars?
Many surviving examples retain their original cedar linings and tight-fitting lids, making them suitable for holding modern cigars. The natural wood interior helps maintain the necessary conditions for tobacco storage.
Ensure the interior is clean and free from old dust before placing fresh cigars inside. Checking the seal of the lid confirms whether humidity will remain stable.
What is a smoking compendium?
A smoking compendium is an elaborate table accessory that groups several smoking necessities into a single fitted object. Alongside a cigar box, these sets often include match strikes, vesta cases, or glass compartments.
They were designed for prominent placement in smoking rooms or studies during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
How can I tell the date?
Makers and retailers typically struck hallmarked stamps directly into the silver surfaces, indicating the assay office, standard mark, and date letter. Consulting standard hallmarking reference books decodes these tiny stamped symbols.
Stylistic cues such as Edwardian proportions or Art Deco geometry also help narrow down the period of manufacture.