Vintage Chinese Export Silver & Enamel Smoking Set, Cigarette Holder & Pair of Ashtrays

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Description

A beautiful early 20th-century Chinese export silver and enamel three-piece smoking set comprising a tabletop cigarette holder and two matching … Read more A beautiful early 20th-century Chinese export silver and enamel three-piece smoking set comprising a tabletop cigarette holder and two matching ashtrays.

The set is richly decorated with colorful hand-applied enamel ornament against a silver ground, creating the jewel-like appearance characteristic of fine Chinese decorative metalwork produced for the export market during the first half of the 20th century. The silver surfaces, colorful enamel work and warm interior accents give the group an especially luxurious presence when displayed together.

The set consists of one central cigarette holder accompanied by two matching ashtrays, making this a particularly desirable surviving ensemble rather than a collection of individual smoking accessories. The ashtrays retain their original cigarette rests, while the cigarette holder was designed to stand prominently on a desk, cocktail table or gentleman's smoking table.

The underside is stamped “MADE IN CHINA” and “SILVER,” confirming Chinese manufacture and the maker's designation of the metal as silver. The exact silver fineness has not been independently tested, and the set is therefore described as silver rather than sterling silver.

Today, the set works beautifully not only as a collectible piece of antique smoking history but also as decorative objects. The cigarette holder can serve as a small vessel or desktop accessory, while the ashtrays make striking jewelry dishes, catchalls or decorative objects.

A sophisticated example of Chinese export decorative arts and an increasingly uncommon complete See less