German 900 Silver Cigarette Case with Enamelled Horse Portrait, 1900

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An expressive portrait of a dark horse head in bridle dominates the front lid, set with a distinctive white blaze … Read more An expressive portrait of a dark horse head in bridle dominates the front lid, set with a distinctive white blaze down the nose and rendered in polychrome enamel. The background is finished in pale translucent blue enamel overlaid on a wavy, machine-turned guilloché silver surface, creating depth and a shimmering moiré reflection as the angle of light shifts. Formed with softly rounded corners and a gently curved profile suited for carrying in a jacket pocket, the solid silver case retains a smooth plain reverse. A sturdy four-part exterior hinge secures the two halves along one side, while a discreet rectangular silver push-piece at the fore-edge releases the internal sprung catch to allow quick and smooth opening. The interior reveals an original, complete wash of rich gold vermeil across both compartments, which helped guard against silver tarnishing from tobacco paper. Fixed retention brackets are mounted on each side to secure internal straps or retainers, keeping cigarettes tidily arranged during transit. Stamped with the continental standard mark of 900 on the interior lip, the case was produced in Germany around 1900. It demonstrates the high level of metalwork and vitreous enamelling favoured by European silversmiths for luxury gentleman's smoking requisites. Factual details: 900 grade solid silver; translucent guilloché and opaque painted enamels; fully gilded interior; four-knuckle hinge with integral thumbpiece release; stamped 900. See less