Reference Number: D8707

DESCRIPTION

Antique early-20th Century Tiffany & Co solid silver two tier cigar box, cedar-lined, rectangular shaped, the bottom compartment used for cigars and is mounted with a partly raised hinged cover supporting a smaller cigarette box. Hallmarked Sterling (925 standard), Made for Tiffany & Co.

One of the most iconic jewellery brands, Tiffany & Co's history begins from a small store that was opened on Broadway, New York in 1837. Two school friends Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young started to sell stationery, fancy souvenirs, china and haberdashery. In 1841 the company got a new partner, J.L. Ellis, who suggested selling silverware, jewellery and clocks. The firm changed its name to Tiffany, Young and Ellis.

Charles Tiffany decided to move away from the classic Victorian style that was popular at that time. The owners of the company set up designers to seek inspiration in nature and interpret it in clean and harmonious forms. This innovative approach became known as the "new American style".

In 1853, Charles Tiffany bought the shares of his partners and renamed the company to Tiffany & Co. Beyond jewellery, Tiffany met the growing demand for luxury items from affluent Americans. Solid silver snuff boxes, polished stationery, purses, bouquet holders, perfume bottles and French cosmetics could be found at Tiffany's.

In 1851, the company hired New York's prolific silversmith John C. Moore to design silverware. Moore's silver designs won numerous awards at world exhibitions in the late 19th century. In 1878 Tiffany was awarded the Grand Prix for its Japanese-influenced silverware at the Paris World Exposition. The company became the first American jeweller to be awarded.