Slovenian Boxes

A fine antique Austro-Hungarian silver and enamel cigarette/card case; part of our continental silverware collection This fine antique Austro-Hungarian silver and enamel cigarette/card case has a rectangular form with rounded edges. The front cover is embellished with an enamel panel depicting two Japanese ladies playing traditional Japanese instruments, the koto (13 stringed zither) and the shamisen (3 stringed guitar-like instrument). The players are seated on the ground in an outdoor scene with traditional Japanese lanterns hanging from tree branches overhead. The sides of this cigarette case and posterior cover are plain and unembellished. The case is fitted with a push fit catch which when released reveals the hallmarked gilt interior of the hinged compartments. The hallmarks to the interior of this impressive case include: Silver quality/purity: Dianakopf mark (800 standard, 800/1000) Assay mark: L (Ljubljana, Slovenia) This variation of the Dianakopf mark was used from 1872-1922, determining the date of this piece as circa 1900. Condition This antique silver business card holder...