Antique Art Deco Gilt Metal Cig Dispenser W Lid

Interior is inscribed THE ART METAL WKS 11621. Piece appears to be antique possibly vintage. Dispenser is gilt metal possibly gilt bronze, possibly brass. Piece has purple & orange toned rhinestones, ornate pierced detail on lid. Base is square shaped with corded relief detail. Left side of piece has lever. Piece measures approximately 5.25 inches square 4.25 inches tall. Cigarette dispenser, gilt metal cigarette dispenser, Art deco cigarette dispenser, antique cigarette dispenser, lidded cigarette dispenser. Evident wear, losses to finish. 6sJuly 31, 1904 - Newark Art Novelties at the St. Louis ExpositionFrom Pete BrunoThe Art Metal Works stood on the southwest corner of Center and Mulberry Streets across the street from the present NJPAC. The Art Metal Works, founded in NYC, was relocated to Newark in 1897. They became a well known manufacturer of art metal novelties. Among their products were clocks, jewel cases, desk articles, smokers articles, vases, candelabra, electric lamps, ink wells, religious and church goods, frames, statuettes, thermometers etc. The entire list included more than ten thousand items.Louis V. Aronson, an inventor and businessman, was the owner of the Art Metal Works. In 1913, he patented the now ubiquitous pocket lighter . They were manufactured under the name Ronson, an abbreviation of the founders name. I don’t believe the name Ronson needs any explanation. The former intersection of Mulberry(now realigned) and Center Streets was named Aronson Square in his honor. (newarkbusiness.org)