Cigarette case - Art Deco style - .800 silver - SILVER VIENNESE CASE

CATALOG CARD: SILVER VIENNESE CIGARETTE CASE WITH FAMILY HISTORY


PROVENANCE AND HISTORY

This antique silver cigarette case is a unique collector's item with a documented family history. It belonged to Mr. Gustaw Pacholski (1927–1998), and his initials—"GP"—are professionally engraved on the inside. A skilled mechanic, Mr. Pacholski received this pre-war case after the war as a work-related award, likely from a state-owned industrial plant. In the last photo in the catalog, you can see a post-war photograph of the owner. Its authentic provenance and remarkable weight (160 grams)—a rarity in itself—make this Viennese masterpiece an excellent investment piece with exceptional sentimental value.

1. General Information

Object type: Cabinet / pocket cigarette case

Period: Turn of the 19th and 20th centuries (years 1872–1922)

Country of origin: Austria-Hungary (Vienna)

Material: Silver (outer body), inner part heavily fire-gilded (so-called vermeil)

Weight: approx. 160 grams

Silver fineness: .800 (the standard fineness for Austro-Hungarian luxury silverware)

2. Detailed Hallmarks Analysis (Punce and Identification)

The inner gilded walls of the cigarette case feature perfectly preserved, legible, and complete state and maker's marks:

State hallmark (Main Austro-Hungarian mark): The official "Diana's Head" (German: Dianakopf) hallmark, valid in the Austro-Hungarian Empire between 1872 and 1922.

Frame shape (Cartouche): The mark is enclosed in a distinctive barrel-shaped field (an oval with slightly flattened top and bottom), reserved specifically for everyday luxury items.

Number "3" (Fineness designation): Stamped on the left side of the goddess Diana's head. In the Austro-Hungarian legal system, it indicates the 3rd silver standard, which is .800 fineness (containing 80% pure silver).

Letter of the assay office "A": Stamped on the right side of the head, indicating the Main Assay Office in Vienna (Hauptmünzamt Wien), which confirms the capital origin of the item.

Maker's mark (Silversmith's initials "MS"): The craftsman's monogram is enclosed in a rectangular cartouche with rounded corners. This mark is repeated on both wings of the cigarette case, confirming that both structural elements originated from the same workshop and underwent separate assay procedures. The initials "MS" correspond to one of the registered Viennese master guild smiths specializing in luxury pocket accessories.

Assay control mark: A small, oval official control mark (so-called repunch) stamped by the assayer on additional structural parts (near the hinge) to certify the integrity of the silver alloy.

3. External Appearance and Decoration

Style: Classical eclecticism with geometric elements foreshadowing the Art Deco style.

Obverse (Front): The surface is covered with exquisite guilloché (engine-turned engraving) in delicate, wavy, and geometric patterns. The central vertical stripe features deeper fluting that mimics an accordion texture, giving the item exceptional visual depth.

Reverse (Back): Decorated with a regular, horizontal linear guilloché, creating a harmonious composition with the front cover.

Clasp: Integrated side push-button catch with a smooth, oval button ensuring a precise and secure closure.

4. Interior and Personalization

Finish: The interior is completely fire-gilded (vermeil), showing a beautiful, warm, matte golden hue. The gilding was designed to protect the silver from tarnishing caused by tobacco oils and to elevate the aesthetic value of the luxury item.

Monogram: The right wing features an elegant, interlaced in the post-war period monogram engraved in a decorative, calligraphic script: "GP", directly referring to Mr. Gustaw Pacholski. The engraving was done professionally in a silversmith's workshop.

5. Collector's Value and Condition

Condition: Very good / cabinet condition. The edges and hinges are tight; there are no deep dents. The silver is covered with a natural, delicate patina that enhances its age and the definition of the guilloché engraving. The inner gilding is preserved in a very high percentage, without noticeable wear to the raw silver, proving the respect with which this object was treated over the many, many, years...

Finish and Aesthetics (Note on patina): The darker layer visible on the surface is a natural, noble patina. This is not damage, but a natural silver oxidation process that confirms its age. The item has intentionally been left uncleaned by chemical or mechanical means to preserve its original period style and the depth of the engine-turned pattern. The new owner can, of course, easily polish the surface back to a smooth, high-gloss shine using standard silver care products.

Collector's Assets: This object is a classic example of the highest quality Viennese craftsmanship. The completeness of the hallmarks (Dianakopf), the heavy weight (160g), the excellent state of preservation, and the fully identified identity one of the owner supported by a photograph make this cigarette case a true rarity on the antique market.

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