1900’s French Chalet Cigar Box

Reference : CAV-0382

It is a cigar box in the shape of a small house or chalet, made mainly of dark oak, decorated with elements of gilded brass. The attention to detail and the finesse of the ornamentation indicate that it is a craft work from the 1900s, probably of French origin.

The exceptional aspect of this antique French chalet cigar box lies in its ingenious opening mechanism: in fact its roof opens thanks to 6 tilting slats, manually actuated by a small lever hidden in the steps of the porch. By lifting the slats of the roof, we discover cylindrical compartments intended to hold the cigars individually. It can store up to 42 cigars in its 42 brass rings.

The mechanism opens like a pipe organ or a bellows, revealing the cigars stored vertically. And to close it, one has to turn the steps of the porch in the opposite direction but please note that not all the slats work automatically. Simply flatten them by hand as shown on video.

• Dimensions: Height: 10.63 in (27 cm) Width: 8.67 in (22 cm) Depth: 7.49 in (19 cm)
• Materials and Techniques: Brass, Oak, Walnut
• Place of Origin: France
• Period: Late 19th Century
• Date of Manufacture: 1880-1900’s
• Condition: Good. Wear consistent with age and use.

Please note that when you close the roof thanks to its mechanism, there are 2 slats that remain open and you have to close them by hand.