Fine Georgian Tortoiseshell Cigar Case With Gilt Monogram, 19th Century

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This refined Continental cigar case is formed in richly mottled tortoiseshell, the exterior modeled with a gently domed, ribbed lid … Read more This refined Continental cigar case is formed in richly mottled tortoiseshell, the exterior modeled with a gently domed, ribbed lid that creates a sculptural play of light across the surface. Centered on the lid is an applied gilt metal cartouche engraved with a scrolling monogram, lending the object a personalized and aristocratic character typical of luxury gentleman’s accessories of the 19th century. The case opens on finely cast gilt-brass hinges with engraved foliate decoration, revealing a polished tortoiseshell interior fitted with original elastic retaining straps designed to secure cigars during transport.

The warm translucency and depth of the tortoiseshell, with its dramatic amber, chestnut, and near-black figuring, reflect both the material’s prestige and the high level of craftsmanship involved in its shaping and finishing. Such cigar cases were closely associated with elite European social culture, functioning as both practical objects and visible markers of refinement. While the maker remains unidentified, the quality of materials, precision of construction, and decorative restraint suggest a Continental origin, likely French or Italian, dating to the early 19th century.

Measures: 3" w x 5.625" h x 1.25" d See less