Silver and Enamel Cigarette Case with Veteran Motoring Scene, 1920

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A polychrome enamel panel across the front cover shows a veteran open-top motor car speeding along a winding country lane, … Read more A polychrome enamel panel across the front cover shows a veteran open-top motor car speeding along a winding country lane, carrying two figures bundled in motoring hoods. The car’s radiator and front wheels cross beyond the painted border directly onto the mirror-polished silver ground, creating the illusion of the vehicle bursting out from the rural scene. In the background, a coastal village with a tall church spire rests under a soft sunset sky. The exterior is formed in smooth silver with gently rounded corners to fit easily into a pocket. Measuring 8.9 cm wide by 8.7 cm high, the case fastens with an integrated curved silver thumbpiece and operates on a flush, four-piece side hinge that keeps the halves true. Opening the case reveals a rich gold-washed interior designed to protect the metal from tobacco staining. The interior retains its original silver bracket loops for holding elastic retainers, though the straps themselves are absent. Testing indicates high silver purity throughout the alloy, with original interior maker's marks having worn faint. Manufactured around 1910, the case reflects the Edwardian fascination with the emerging automobile age. Scenic motoring subjects on decorative enamel accessories from this era were produced in modest numbers, presenting a charming snapshot of early recreational touring. See less