Pocket Cigarette Case
A pocket cigarette case is a metal or enamel receptacle designed for carrying tobacco neatly, offering enduring utility and pocket-sized elegance for daily use.
Pocket Cigarette Case
A pocket cigarette case is typically a flat, hinged container formed to hold tobacco securely within a pocket or bag. The pieces appearing here span the nineteenth century, Edwardian era, Art Deco period, and mid-twentieth century.
Makers and origins vary widely, including British silversmiths alongside continental workshops and Russian makers. Forms range from standard cigarette cases to hybrid card cases and vesta combinations.
Factors of quality
The standard of a pocket cigarette case depends on the weight of the silver used and the crispness of any engraved crests or basket weave patterns. Heavier gauges of metal provide greater structural rigidity to the body and hinges.
Applied decoration such as hand-painted enamel or set cabochons introduces another layer of distinction. Intricate opening mechanisms and quality hallmarks from recognised makers further differentiate individual pieces.
Pocket Cigarette Case Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for pocket cigarette case 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.
Materials utilised across the available pieces include sterling silver, silver gilt, gold, vitreous enamel, and gemstones.
Sampson Mordan·Fritz Bemberg·Liberty and Co
The Pocket Cigarette Case Glossary
- Silver gilt
- Silver that has been coated with a thin layer of gold on its surface. This technique provides the warm appearance of solid gold while utilising a silver base.
- Vitreous enamel
- Glass powder fused to metal through high-temperature firing. It creates a durable, glossy coloured surface often seen in geometric Art Deco patterns.
- Cabochon
- A gemstone shaped and polished with a smooth, rounded top rather than faceted edges. These stones are frequently set into clasps or decorative panels.
- Vesta case
- A small portable box designed specifically for holding matches and striking them. Some combination pieces housed both matches and cigarettes together.
- Hallmark
- Official stamps marked onto precious metals indicating purity, origin, and date of assay. These marks help verify the provenance of silver objects.
Pocket Cigarette Case: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a pocket cigarette case used for?
These metal containers were originally built to hold cigarettes safely in a pocket, preventing them from bending or breaking during daily movement.
Today, collectors use them to hold business cards, credit cards, or small modern items while retaining a tangible piece of period craftsmanship.
How do I identify an Art Deco cigarette case?
Art Deco pieces typically display clean geometric lines, stylized motifs, and bold contrasting colours created through enamel work or mixed metals.
They often date from the 1920s and 1930s, contrasting sharply with the floral designs of the Edwardian and Victorian periods.
What does silver gilt mean?
Silver gilt refers to a solid silver object that has undergone gilding to cover its exterior in a thin layer of gold.
This treatment was frequently used on the interior or exterior of cases to prevent the silver from tarnishing too quickly against tobacco.
Are all silver cigarette cases sterling?
While many British examples are sterling silver bearing standard assay office hallmarks, continental European pieces often use different purity standards.
Common alternatives found on these items include .900 and .935 silver grades.