Austro-Hungarian Silver and Enamel Cigarette/Card Case - Antique Circa 1900

Description

This fine antique Austro-Hungarian silver and enamel cigarette/card holder has a rectangular form with rounded edges.

The front cover is embellished with an enamel panel depicting two Japanese ladies playing traditional Japanese instruments, the koto (13 stringed zither) and the shamisen (3 stringed guitar-like instrument).

The characters are seated on the ground in an outdoor scene with traditional Japanese lanterns hanging from tree branches overhead.

The rounded sides and posterior cover of this silver card holder are plain and unembellished.

The antique silver business card holder is fitted with a push fit catch which when released reveals the hallmarked gilt interior of the hinged compartments.

The hallmarks to the interior of this impressive case include:

Silver quality/purity: Dianakopf mark* (800 standard, 800/1000)

Assay mark: L (Ljubljana, Slovenia)

* This variation of the Dianakopf mark was used from 1872-1922, determining the date of this piece as circa 1900.

Read a brief history of antique silver cigarette cases