PURCHASE - Vintage Cigar Case
ITEM: Gentleman's Cigar Case
AGE: Early 1900's Great Britain
Materials: Alligator, sterling silver
Provenance: Purchased from Bergdorf Goodman iN NYC
During a recent trip to NYC, I found myself at Bergdorf Goodman. Among my favorite departments to visit is their highly curated and largely unaffordable antiques section, where I found this beauty waiting to go home with me. I have endeavored to own one of these for quite some time, but never seem to find the right one. This particular example was made at the turn of the 20th century in the UK (based on the silver hallmarks), and was likely intended to hold cigars of the now passé "long panatela" size. So there it was, staring at me from that glass case like a Disney-eyed puppy at the SPCA looking for a good home. The price was not right, but my "gotta have it" drive was in full force so I indulged.
Since acquiring this beauty some six months ago, I have had it in mind to use as either a wallet or phone holder, but truth be told I have not yet settled on it's purpose just yet, as I have not been able to break away from gazing at it long enough to transition it in my mind from a thing of absolute beauty to a thing of practicality. Not that practicality has anything to do with an alligator and sterling silver object anyway.