A Fine Victorian Silver Cigar & Cigarette Box - A & J Zimmerman -Birmingham - 1897

This exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver cigar/cigarette box has an embellished rectangular body, double hinged compartments, carrying handle, a cedar wood-lined interior, and retains the original leatherette covering to the underside. Made by Arthur & John Zimmerman (worked 1885 - c. 1928) , of Birmingham in 1897. Length 21,5 cms, width 17,5 cms, height inc. handle 9,5 cms. Although there is a non-silver finish to the inside and without dismantling the box to get the silver weight we can safely say this is a heavy gauge box and we would estimate the silver to weigh probably in excess of 1300 grams (obviously we cannot be exact on that figure) . Full hallmarks struck to the surface of the body and the part hallmarks to the surface of both covers are all very clear; the hallmarks are struck deeply due to the superior gauge of silver. There are no inscriptions or monograms (yet) . This important piece was part of the Petochi collection, as attached to the inside to one of the lids is a sticker stating this (see photos) . Back in 1884 the Petochi family opened its own jewelry shop in Via Della Croce Rome. Next to the workshop, where more than twenty goldsmiths operated, there was an elegant exhibition and sales area with produced and collected items. During the first years of the twentieth century, Prince Alessandro Torlonia gave them the opportunity to move their headquarters to his palace in Via Bocca di Leone, and from that day onwards the Petochi atelier became legendary in the world of Roman aristocracy. The Borghese, the Colonna the Odescalchi and the Pallavicini families appreciated the refined and high class jewelry, which was shown at the Universal Exhibition in New York in 1939. During the same period, in particular the Italian Royal Household. In the early forties the jewelers was moved to its current elegant headquarters in Piazza di Spagna; the same setting which hosted the renowned French jeweler Pierret in the 1800’s. Here the traditional production and collection continued with exclusive models. This piece will be shipped insured.