Porta Biglietti da Visita d'Epoca a Tripla Apertura con Interno Dorato (Vermeil) - Card case
03
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21
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Starting bid
€ 1
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Selected by Jeroen Zoetmulder
Has over 30 years of experience in archaeology and is an appraiser specialising in archaeological objects.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
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Rare early 20th‑century triple-opening pocket case for cigarettes and business cards, with a silver exterior and a vermeil gold interior, made in Germany, in good condition with minor signs of wear, 9 cm high and 6 cm wide.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Rare Cigarette Case / Vintage Business Card Holder with Triple Opening and Gold Interior (Vermeil)
Type: Rare combined pocket case (Cigarette case and/or business card holder)
Era: Early 20th century (Belle Époque / Art Nouveau period, circa 1900–1920)
Origin: Central Europe (Austro-German manufacture / Mitteleuropa)
Material: Base metal silver-plated (Alpaca / Neusilber) with fire-gilded / vermeil interior finish
Decoration: Pebble-h hammered relief pattern “snake skin / reptile” with a central shield incised monogram
Particular and sought-after pocket accessory of great charm and constructive refinement:
* Exterior: Rectangular, ergonomically shaped case, finely repoussé with an organic scale geometric motif (snake skin hammering), typical of applied arts bridging Art Nouveau and Art Deco. At the center of the main cover sits a hand-engraved heraldic shield containing an elegant italic intertwined monogram.
* Triple Opening Mechanism: The object features a complex and unusual mechanical structure:
* The top hinged lid allows rapid vertical extraction for immediate use.
* The two side book-style doors with a tab latch open fully, revealing the large main compartment with the original elastic page/ cigarette holder.
* Interior: Fully tropicalized / gilded in warm vermeil tone to protect the contents from silver oxidation. On the inner closing flaps are impressed punch marks and factory stamps (manufacturer marks and Alpaca/Argentone metal grade).
Technical Details and Conservation
* Technique: Fire-gilded metal with hand-burins engraving.
* Condition: Good / Very good considering age.
* Mechanical: All hinges, side doors, and the upper snap closure operate perfectly and are well aligned.
* Surfaces: External silver plating well preserved with light period wear, charming patina of time and minimal signs of use. Inner gilding clearly visible. Inner elastic band preserved.
Notes for the Collector
This type of multifunctional, triple-jointed cases represented the pinnacle of pocket craftsmanship in the early 1900s, designed to hold both cigarettes and business cards or personal notes. The Alpaca alloy (also known as German Silver or Neusilber), combined with silver plating and inner gilding, ensured high robustness and aesthetics on par with pure precious metals.
A unique piece for collectors of antique smoking paraphernalia, vintage pocket curios or collectors of silver and Mitteleuropean art alloys.
There are light scratches and micro-scrapes on the object
Careful and trackable shipping
Rare Cigarette Case / Vintage Business Card Holder with Triple Opening and Gold Interior (Vermeil)
Type: Rare combined pocket case (Cigarette case and/or business card holder)
Era: Early 20th century (Belle Époque / Art Nouveau period, circa 1900–1920)
Origin: Central Europe (Austro-German manufacture / Mitteleuropa)
Material: Base metal silver-plated (Alpaca / Neusilber) with fire-gilded / vermeil interior finish
Decoration: Pebble-h hammered relief pattern “snake skin / reptile” with a central shield incised monogram
Particular and sought-after pocket accessory of great charm and constructive refinement:
* Exterior: Rectangular, ergonomically shaped case, finely repoussé with an organic scale geometric motif (snake skin hammering), typical of applied arts bridging Art Nouveau and Art Deco. At the center of the main cover sits a hand-engraved heraldic shield containing an elegant italic intertwined monogram.
* Triple Opening Mechanism: The object features a complex and unusual mechanical structure:
* The top hinged lid allows rapid vertical extraction for immediate use.
* The two side book-style doors with a tab latch open fully, revealing the large main compartment with the original elastic page/ cigarette holder.
* Interior: Fully tropicalized / gilded in warm vermeil tone to protect the contents from silver oxidation. On the inner closing flaps are impressed punch marks and factory stamps (manufacturer marks and Alpaca/Argentone metal grade).
Technical Details and Conservation
* Technique: Fire-gilded metal with hand-burins engraving.
* Condition: Good / Very good considering age.
* Mechanical: All hinges, side doors, and the upper snap closure operate perfectly and are well aligned.
* Surfaces: External silver plating well preserved with light period wear, charming patina of time and minimal signs of use. Inner gilding clearly visible. Inner elastic band preserved.
Notes for the Collector
This type of multifunctional, triple-jointed cases represented the pinnacle of pocket craftsmanship in the early 1900s, designed to hold both cigarettes and business cards or personal notes. The Alpaca alloy (also known as German Silver or Neusilber), combined with silver plating and inner gilding, ensured high robustness and aesthetics on par with pure precious metals.
A unique piece for collectors of antique smoking paraphernalia, vintage pocket curios or collectors of silver and Mitteleuropean art alloys.
There are light scratches and micro-scrapes on the object
Careful and trackable shipping
Details
Brand
Porta Biglietti da Visita d'Epoca a Tripla Apertura con Interno Dorato (Vermeil)
Colour
Gold, Silver
Material
Gold-plated metal, Silver plated metal
Made in
Germany
Condition
Good condition, used with some signs of wear
Height
9 cm
Width
6 cm
Era
1900-2000
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