Exceptional Hand Painted Enamel Antique Sterling Silver Cigarette Case Horse Equestrian English Country Fox Hunt Scene

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This exceptional antique presentation sterling silver cigarette case, crafted in the United States circa 1880–1900, is a true object d’art—a … Read more This exceptional antique presentation sterling silver cigarette case, crafted in the United States circa 1880–1900, is a true object d’art—a rare convergence of master silversmithing, fine enamel painting, and elite social tradition.

The front is adorned with an exquisite hand-painted panel executed by a master artisan of remarkable skill. The scene is sculpted and framed by sterling silver on all four sides and depicts an animated fox-chasing tableau: a finely dressed gentleman on horseback captured mid-stride, accompanied by mounted riders in the background, multi-colored hounds in pursuit, rolling hills, distant cottages, and a luminous sky of soft blues and drifting clouds. The painting demonstrates extraordinary control and realism; minute, almost photographic detail combined with fluid motion.

Measuring extenally 3 inches wide × 2.5 inches deep × 0.75 inch thick and weighing a substantial 3.3 ounces (95 grams), the case is heavy and satisfying in the hand. The body features a gentle concave curvature with rounded edges, designed to sit comfortably in a jacket pocket. Please note, this case was designed for shorter, vintage-style cigarettes and does not accommodate modern credit cards or business cards. We encourage you to review the listed dimensions and ruler references in photos carefully to ensure it suits your intended use, particularly if you plan to store items of a specific size. The 9-tined hinge functions flawlessly, the shells align precisely, and the strong spring-loaded side tab release snaps tightly closed, opening only when deliberately engaged. The case is constructed of .925 sterling silver, with a richly intact gold-plated interior. Engraved on the exterior are presentation initials, “N L,” rendered in large Old English script.

The piece bears the marks of Hennegen, Bates & Co. of Baltimore, Maryland, a prestigious American jeweler and silversmith founded in 1857 and closed in 1955. Condition is exceptional for its age. The porcelain panel is free of chips or cracks, retaining vivid color with only light surface scratches consistent with careful handling. There are a few very minor handling marks—small, shallow bruises at the lower corners and a discreet depression on the back corner. Please review the photos for further condition assessment.

In the Victorian era, a case such as this would be withdrawn from a gentleman’s jacket with practiced flourish when offering a cigarette—to a fellow gentleman, an avant-garde lady, or a business acquaintance—serving not only a functional purpose but as a conversation piece to be admired and discussed. Today, it remains exactly that.

This eye-appealing, unused Victorian American sterling silver presentation cigarette case is a museum-quality example and would be a standout addition to any tobacciana, silver, porcelain, gentleman’s accoutrement, or object d’art collection, or an extraordinary heirloom gift imbued with history, artistry, and refinement. See less