Gold cigar cases would have been carried by gentlement of high status. They are collectible not only for their decorative features but for their gold content as well.
Below are some examples and price guides of some gold cigar cases including a gem-set cigar case by Cartier and a case with a portrait miniature.
A GEM-SET CIGAR CASE, BY CARTIER
French assay marks for 18K gold; Stamped ‘Cartier. Paris. Londres. New York’, ‘Made in France’ and No 03412
Plain rectangular with two compartments, the cover with three-stone sugarloaf sapphire pushpiece and engraved with a Marquess’ crown, marked inside, in a fitted case
6 in. (15.3 cm.) long
5 oz. 1 dwt. (158 gr.)
Sold for GBP 5,000 at Christie’s in 2019
An 18 carat gold cigar case
Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co Ltd, London 1913, also engraved with maker to the rim
Oblong form with curved front and back, rounded corners, the front engraved with a crest and motto, the thumb-catch with metal bar, length 15cm, weight total 203gms.
Sold for £5,000 at Bonham’s in 2022
A 14K Gold, Guilloché Enamel, Diamond, and Hardstone Cigar Case in the Manner of Fabergé, late 20th century 8 x 1-1/8 x 1-1/8 inches (20.3 x 2.9 x 2.9 cm) 229 grams (gross) The baton-form cigar case, featuring gold mounts on a white guilloché enamel ground set with diamonds and ruby cabochons, monogrammed A III to the crowned laurel wreath cartouche, presented in a fitted wooden case.
Sold for US$5,000 at Heritage Auctions, in 2021
AN EARLY 20TH CENTURY 9CT GOLD CIGAR CASE the two sectioned case of plain form with sprung lid, app. weight 82g – Sampson Mordon & Co. London. 1907 (15cm long)
Sold for £1,150 at Hutchinson Scott Auctioneers in 2021
A GOLD AND ENAMEL CIGAR CASE WITH PEARL-FRAMED ENAMEL MINIATURE, GENEVA, CIRCA 1850
of upright form, oval section, the front applied with an oval enamel miniature, Geneva school, circa 1835, of a lady with roses in her dark hair, wearing a purple gown trimmed with black lace, pearl frame, the pull-on lid and base engraved and inlaid in painted, basse-taille and champlevé enamels with summer flowers and strapwork on variously-textured grounds, the reverse painted en plein with figures in renaissance dress strolling in a wood, apparently unmarked apart from later control mark
Sold for 6,000 GBP at Sotheby’s in 2020
