Austrian Silver and Enamel Cigarette Case - Antique Circa 1900

Description

This exceptional sterling silver cigarette case has a plain rectangular form with rounded corners.

This Georg Adam Scheid silver and enamel cigarette case has a subtly curved form offering a comfortable fit in the majority of pockets.

The anterior cover is embellished with an exceptional original enamel panel depicting a female wading through a vast amount of water, holding in her hands her skirt, boots and parasol.

The posterior cover is ornamented with the contemporary engraved initials 'THW'.

The rounded sides of this cigarette case are plain and unembellished.

Each cover features a plain rounded thumbpiece in addition to a hallmarked push fit catch, which when released reveals two hinged compartments.

This impressive example of continental silverware retains the original retaining straps to the interior of each cover.

The hallmarks struck to the interior of this impressive case include:

Maker’s mark: G.A.S (Georg Adam Scheid*)

Silver quality/purity mark: Dog head**, 800 (.800, 800/1000)

Assay mark: Dog head - A (Vienna, Austria)

* Georg Adam Scheid is renowned for the high quality enamelling on silverware items.

** This mark was issued for small items from 1867-1922, rather than the Dianakopf mark; this mark, in addition to the style, determines the date of this piece as circa 1900.

Read the brief history of cigarette cases