An Art Deco silver combination cigarette case lighter and watch

Asprey & Co Ltd, London 1936

Asprey & Co Ltd, London 1936
Slender rectangular form with ribbed panels between polished bands, the side with removable lighter concealed under a hinged cover, hinged watch panel, the Marc Favre signed movement contained in a 9 carat gold case, incuse LA mark, London 1934, the hinged cigarette compartment with gilt interior, engraved inscription 'This Box also speaks from Bahadur Singh of Bundi, 1948', length 10cm x 7cm x 1cm.

HH Maharao Raja Bahadur Singh (1920 - 1977) was the 28th and the last official ruler of the princely state of Bundi belonging to Hada Chauhan clan of Rajputs.
He received an emergency commission on 26th November 1942 and was posted to Probyn's Horse. With the regiment equipped with Sherman tanks he saw action in Burma and was awarded the Military Cross. Upon the death of his father Maharao Raja Ishwari Singh in April 1945, he succeeded him as ruler of Bundi and consequently left the Army. He acceded his state of Bundi to India on 7 April 1949.