Antique American Art Nouveau Silver Overlay Table Cigar Lighter

Details

Description

Indulge in the allure of a rare late 19th-century treasure – an exceptional silver deposit table lighter crafted by the … Read more Indulge in the allure of a rare late 19th-century treasure – an exceptional silver deposit table lighter crafted by the esteemed artisans Thiery & Croselmire of Newark, New Jersey. This exquisite piece bears the mark of distinction, stamped at its lower edge with the elegant inscription "Solid Silver / 2544 / Pat. Jan. 5-86", mark lightly worn and unable to read the 6 at the end. While the passage of time may have gently faded parts of the mark, the enchanting history and craftsmanship behind it remain vivid.

Transport yourself to the refined era of the late 19th Century, where distinguished gentlemen gathered in opulent salons to engage in the art of smoking, playing cards, and savoring drinks while engaging in lively conversations. In these sophisticated settings, a table lighter of this caliber would have graced the space as a practical yet stylish addition, casting a warm glow upon cigars and elevating the overall ambiance. Embrace the legacy of an era bygone with this remarkable table lighter, an emblem of both functional elegance and timeless allure.

French-born jeweler and engraver Edward A. Thiery (b. 1840) and German-born metallurgist and refiner Charles F. Croselmire (1848-1910), were awarded patent number 333697 on January 5, 1886 for their method of applying a layer of metal to an article by method of electrolysis and then engraving to the base layer underneath. They used the technique not only on glassware, but also on ivory and horn for the manufacture of cane handles and corkscrews. Their method was supplanted by John H. Scharling's improved patent of 1892, which was adopted by both the Wymble Mfg. Corp. and the Alvin Corp. Croselmire sold his refining company in 1902 to Charles W. Englehard, which later became Fortune 500 company Englehard, manufacturers of the first catalytic converters. Croselmire died in 1910 in a notorious murder-suicide, in which he shot his wife, Henrietta, and then himself. His wife survived the attack, but Croselmire died after shooting himself in both the heart and the head. See less