Cigarette holder (3) - silver 900 - Set amber&silver holders

rare and complete matched set of two luxury smoking accessories presented in their original fitted jeweller's presentation case, spine-labelled in gilt letters "Echt Silber u. Bernstein" (German: "Genuine Silver and Amber"). The set comprises one slender cigarette holder and one cigar holder, crafted from the same materials by the same maker.
The Holders — Materials & Decoration:
Both pieces feature cylindrical bodies of niello-inlaid 900/1000 silver, worked in a refined neoclassical scheme: close-set vertical silver line stripes on a blackened niello ground, interrupted by a central pointed-oval cartouche framed by a fine beaded silver border and encircled by delicate hand-engraved laurel branches. Within the cartouche sits a polished silver vacant oval reserve, intentionally left plain for personalised monogram engraving — a hallmark of pieces made as luxury gifts. The quality of engraving is high, consistent with skilled workshop production rather than mass manufacture.
Each holder terminates in a genuine natural Baltic amber mouthpiece of warm honey-golden colour. Baltic amber (Bernstein) was the premium mouthpiece material of the era, prized for its low thermal conductivity, pleasant feel, and beauty.
Measurements & Weight:
Cigarette holder: 10 cm long, 0.5 cm diameter, 9 g
Cigar holder: 9 cm long, 1 cm diameter, 14 g
Hallmark:
The cigarette holder bears a clear stamp reading "IM · 900" — "IM" being the maker's initials, "900" the silver fineness (90% pure silver), standard in German and Austro-Hungarian luxury silverware of this period. Only one piece in the set carries the stamp, consistent with period German trade practice for matched pairs.
The Case:
Original hinged presentation box, 11 × 4 × 2.5 cm, covered in cross-hatched burgundy leatherette with gilt-lettered spine inscription "Echt Silber u. Bernstein." Interior lined with ivory silk to the lid and olive-green velvet to the base, shaped to cradle both holders. The case shows authentic age wear including a small split at the hinge area, consistent with over a century of use.
Condition:
The niello decoration on both holders is well-preserved and crisp. The cigarette holder's amber mouthpiece shows slightly more surface wear and patina than the cigar holder's, consistent with heavier use. No cracks in either amber piece. The vacant cartouche reserves are unmarked — the set was never personalised, suggesting it may have been purchased but gifted without engraving, or kept as a display piece.
Why This Set Is Notable:
Matched pairs of niello silver and genuine amber holders, in their original labelled case, are increasingly scarce. The intact presentation box with its maker's label, the fine hand-engraved decoration with vacant cartouche, the confirmed 900 silver hallmark, and the genuine Baltic amber mouthpieces combine to make this an outstanding example of Central European luxury smoking accessories from the Belle Époque.
Origin: Germany or Austria-Hungary, c. 1890–1910
Materials: 900/1000 silver (niello), genuine Baltic amber
Hallmark: "IM · 900" on cigarette holder
Includes: Original fitted presentation case