Sterling Silver Cigar Case
A sterling silver cigar case protects a gentleman's smokes while showing the craftsmanship of the silversmith.
Sterling Silver Cigar Case
A sterling silver cigar case is a portable receptacle designed to hold cigars, cheroot tubes, or smoking accessories safely in the pocket or travel bag. When exploring this selection, buyers encounter various configurations, from rigid metal pocket tubes and multi-tube holders to hinged pocket boxes.
The objects span multiple eras, with Victorian pieces, Edwardian designs, and Georgian items appearing alongside later Art Deco examples. Many of these pieces fall under the broader category of tobacciana and smoking accessories, originating from workshops across the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
How they were made
Silversmiths constructed these cases primarily from solid sterling silver, occasionally applying silver gilt or gold gilt to the interior surfaces for a rich finish. Many examples incorporate textured leather, such as crocodile skin, mounted with silver bands, clasps, or protective frames.
Makers utilised techniques like engine turning to create intricate geometric patterns on the metal body, alongside hand-engraved motifs depicting flora or heraldry. Planished finishes and smooth, plain surfaces also appear, depending on the stylistic preferences of the period.
Listings feature Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco periods, encompassing sterling silver, silver gilt, and crocodile leather.
What varies in quality
The calibre of a piece rests heavily on the crispness of the hand-engraving and the precision of the engine-turned patterns running across the silver body. Superior examples display taut hinge mechanisms, flush closures, and robust internal fittings that secure the individual tubes firmly without play.
Weight and structural thickness distinguish standard commercial output from exceptional workshop commissions. Heavier gauge silver resists denting better over decades of use, while distinct hallmarks confirm the assay office and maker's stamp clearly.
Sampson Mordan & Co·A&J Zimmerman·Edward Edwards·Yapp & Woodward·Jane Brownett Alexander Jones·William Neale & Son Ltd·Joseph Gloster·Mappin & Webb
The Sterling Silver Cigar Case Glossary
- Sterling silver
- A silver alloy containing 92.5 percent pure silver and 7.5 percent other metals, usually copper, chosen for durability. This standard alloy forms the foundational material for the vast majority of antique cigar cases.
- Vesta case
- A small pocket box originally designed for holding wax matches, frequently associated with smoking accessories. Some novelty items combine cigar holding functions with vesta compartments.
- Engine turned
- A mechanical decorative technique producing precise, intricate geometric patterns of fine lines cut into metal. This method provides texture and hides minor surface scratches on pocket wear.
- Silver gilt
- Sterling silver that has been coated with a thin layer of gold on the surface. This treatment protects the interior from tobacco oils and provides a warm contrast to the exterior metal.
- Cheroot
- A cylindrical cigar with both ends cut square rather than tapered. Many nineteenth-century cases specifically accommodate these shorter, narrower smokes alongside traditional cigars.
Sterling Silver Cigar Case: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a sterling silver cigar case used for?
These historical accessories were built to carry cigars safely in a pocket or travel case without crushing the delicate leaves. Gentlemen relied on them to keep tobacco fresh and intact while on the move.
Today, collectors appreciate them both as examples of period silversmithing and as functional cases for modern cigars. They represent an era when personal accessories received meticulous decorative attention.
How do I know the date of my cigar case?
British pieces carry hallmarks that include a date letter indicating the exact year of assay. Additional markers show the city of the assay office, such as London or Birmingham, alongside the maker's mark.
Comparing the stylistic cues, such as Victorian scrollwork or geometric Art Deco lines, helps confirm the era. Hallmarks remain the most reliable method for dating silver objects accurately.
Can I still use an antique cigar case today?
Most solid silver cases remain fully functional if the hinges and clasps are in sound condition. They work well for carrying a small number of cigars for an evening out.
Leather-lined or multi-tube interiors require gentle handling to preserve the antique materials. Users should check the internal dimensions to ensure modern cigar ring gauges fit comfortably.
What is the difference between a cigar case and a cigarette case?
Cigar cases generally feature rigid individual tubes or deeper, rounded profiles designed to accommodate thicker, cylindrical tobacco rolls. Cigarette cases are typically flat, shallow double-sided frames holding rows of paper-wrapped cigarettes with elastic or metal straps.
Many nineteenth-century examples specifically targeted cheroots or larger formats before the mass adoption of cigarettes in the twentieth century. This structural difference reflects changing smoking habits over time.