Burnell and Rowe

Description

Here we have a very fine late Victorian Sterling Silver Cigar Case and matching Vesta Case. The cigar case holds four cigars and the vesta case is designed to look like a mini cigar case. The inside of the cigar case is gilded.

Both pieces have matching crests on one side and monograms on the other. The crests feature a cockerel's head next to a star beneath a baronial coronet and the motto Franc et Loyal which translates, not surprisingly, to Frank and Loyal. The monograms are made up of the letters A J H. These pieces both belonged to Amadeus John Heath, the 3rd Baron Heath who lived from 1849 to 1904. The family Barony was in the peerage of the Kingdom of Italy and was awarded to Amadeus' grandfather by King Victor Emmanuel II in 1867 for his long service as Consul General. He also served as Governor of the Bank of England.

Both the cigar case and the vesta case are made by renowned silversmiths George Unite & Sons and date to 1889. The cigar case was assayed in London and the vesta case in Birmingham.

Condition is extremely good with no dents and just the superficial surface wear that has to be expected after over 130 years of good service. Please make sure to view all the photographs.

These are both well made items in a good gauge of silver. The cigar case is 12.2cm / 4.8ins x 6.8cm / 2.7ins and the vesta case is 4.8cm / 1.9ins x 3.3cm / 1.3ins. The two together weigh in at a very substantial 168g / 5.9oz of solid Sterling Silver.

The hallmarks on the cigar case are split between the two inside halves. One shows the lion passant for Sterling Silver and the leopard's head assay mark for London, with the other showing the date letter O for 1889 and the Queen Victoria duty mark. Both sets have the GU makers' mark for George Unite & Sons. The vesta case is marked on the inside rim and shows the lion passant for Sterling Silver, the anchor assay mark for Birmingham, the date letter p for 1889, the Queen Victoria duty mark and the GU makers' mark for George Unite & Sons.

Shipping in the UK is £11 by Royal Mail Special Delivery, which includes cover for the value of the set.
Overseas customers, please ask us about shipping costs to your country before making a purchase.