French Collectibles and Curiosities

Table petrol lighter designed by Tiffany & Co. Beautiful and unusual antique table petrol lighter, created in Paris France by the Tiffany & Co., back in the 1919. Crafted after the WWI as a trench-art piece in solid brass with high polished finish and embellished with a round flat holed piece, carved from natural white nacre. It is mounted in a round flat base and is fitted with a thumbwheel and a chained snuffer lid. This antique lighter should be a great conversation piece. Trench Art This is a term used to describe objects made from the debris and by-products of modern warfare. Trench Art is usually associated with the First World War, although similar items have been produced in other conflicts too. Most trench art was made by servicemen to pass the time when not in the front line. Weight: 124.7 Grams, (79.94 Dwt). Measurements: Diameter of 42 mm and a height of 94 (1.65 x 3.68 Inches). Hallmarks: Stamped with the maker's mark, attached with the French tax plaque Ministere Des Finances and signed, "TIFFANY & CO. FRANCE". Ministere Des Finances Lighter Tax 1911-1945 Historic Taxation Data On 10th December 1910 the French state adopted a new tax regulations on all devices indented to produce spark or fire by friction, or by any other means, and of the combustion of a flammable substance. Since 1st January 1911 every lighter in France that was intended for sale in the French market had to be taxed and adequately marked. To confirm that the excise duty was paid to the Ministry of Finance a special duty metal plate (stamp) was attached (usually welded) to the lighter by the lighter manufacturers. The fees charged by the French state were high but the tax rates levied by the state were varying depending on the type and finish of the lighter. Following tax rates were used: 2 French francs for common pocket lighters, 5 Fr for pocket lighters made of silver, 20 Fr for luxury pocket lighters made in gold, 5 Fr for common table/desk lighters (lower 10 cm), 10 Fr for table/desk lighters (over 10 cm) made of silver, 50 Fr for luxury table/desk lighters (over 10 cm) made of gold or platinum. Between 1911 and 1916 a simple cooper plate was used which had the date 1911 engraved. Later, between 1916 and 1945 a new plate (undated) was introduced with the letters "C" and "I" (stands for indirect taxes) and a profile of Mercury (patron god of financial gain, commerce and messengers) with an inscription "Ministère Des Finances" (Ministry of Finance). Two shapes were used for the plate – oval for table lighters, the other one for pocket lighters. Additional to the two duty plates a marking "BL" (Briquet de Luxe, eng. luxury lighter...

An early 20th century cast metal and glass opticians trade sign. An early 20th century cast metal and glass opticians trade sign, in the form of a quirky pair of spectacles. Made fro...

A pair of unique, heavily patinated, hand-crafted historical memorabilia from World War 1, France, between 1914 and 1918. Trench art ("Art des tranchées", in French), was common dur...

A fabulous pair of French made World War 1 British Officers Military binoculars with both the brass on the binoculars and the leather case with the British military crows foot mark. ...

A splendid pair of late Victorian Opera / Theatre glasses professionally re-polished to gleam, making them as good as they would have looked over 100 y...

Penny bank made by Italian Angelo Biagioni for the French market (see image with marking on the back of the chair), circa 1910. Biagioni, born in 1870, was a well known sculptor who crafted objects for resale to the European market. Money boxes (or still banks as they are called in America) were one of the more unique and more difficult items to find by this artist as most objects were basic uni-dimensional sculptered pieces. What makes it more rare is the unfortunate requirement to break and smash the bank open to get the coins out, as there was no mechanism to remove the money. The subject matter of the bank is that of a nicely dressed older lady seated in a chair reading a book. The bank is in all original condition and paint with no restoration or touch-up of any kind. This is a nice addition to any bank or toy collection, or simply to have as a "stand alone" unique item. Dimensions : 4 1/4" deep x 3 3/8" wide x 8 5/8" high. Note: After 40 plus years of dealing and collecting toys and banks, I am justly qualified to guarantee and present the authenticity of antique and vintage still banks...

Table petrol lighter designed by Tiffany & Co. A very unusual table petrol lighter, created in Paris France by Tiffany & Co. back in the 1916. This is an extremely rare table lighter has been crafted in solid .900/.999 silver and carved Orbicular Ocean Jasper. Mounted in a round dentilated flat base and fitted with a chained lid. Gemstones: The main body of the lighter is carved from one single piece of rare Orbicular Ocean Jasper from Madagascar. Birthstone: For the month of April 20 to May 20 Weight: 226.50 Grams, (145.19 Dwt). Measurements: 47 mm by 47 mm by (1.85 x 1.85 x 3.75 Inches). Hallmarks: Stamped with French marks, the maker's maitre mark EM inside a lozange cartouche, the brand name mark, the French tax plaque Ministere Des Finances with monogram CI and signed, "TIFFANY & CO. PARIS". Note: On 10th December 1910 the French state adopted a new tax regulations on all devices indented to produce spark or fire by friction, or by any other means, and of the combustion of a flammable substance. Since 1st January 1911 every lighter in France that was intended for sale in the French market had to be taxed and adequately marked. To confirm that the excise duty was paid to the Ministry of Finance a special duty metal plate (stamp) was attached (usually welded) to the lighter by the lighter manufacturers. The fees charged by the French state were high but the tax rates levied by the state were varying depending on the type and finish of the lighter. Following tax rates were used: 2 French francs for common pocket lighters, 5 Fr for pocket lighters made of silver, 20 Fr for luxury pocket lighters (e.g. made of gold), 5 Fr for common table/desk lighters (over 10 cm), 10 Fr for table/desk lighters (over 10 cm) made of silver, 50 Fr for luxury table/desk lighters (over 10 cm) made of gold or platinum. Between 1911 and 1916 a simple cooper plate was used which had the date 1911 engraved. Later, between 1916 and 1945 a new plate (undated) was introduced with the letters "C" and "I" (stands for indirect taxes) and a profile of Mercury (patron god of financial gain, commerce and messengers) with an inscription "Ministère Des Finances" (eng. Ministry of Finance). Two shapes were used for the plate – oval for table lighters, the other one for pocket lighters. Additional to the two duty plates a marking "BL" (Briquet de Luxe, eng. luxury lighter) was introduced in 1926. It was a small hallmark which was considered as more discreet and applied only on luxury lighters like Quercia or Lancel. It is worth to mention that France was not the sole country where lighters were taxed and marked with special plates...

World War I French aviation altimeter made by Naudet & Co. Antique French aviation altimeter designed specifically for aviation, and dating to th...

Pretty as a picture and in outstanding condition, this lovely pair of early twentieth century opera glasses come complete with their original case (wear commensurate with age). Th...

Carved wooden antique French barometer with thermometer Unusual antique carved wooden barometer in a lovely carved case, working order. Number 9432 ...

We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning suite of four, newly framed in Pollard Oak, Charles Dominique Fouquerary 1914 dated water colour sketches...

Cast iron crucifix with original patina. Great casting and quality.

Cast iron crucifix. Great casting and quality.

Cast iron crucifix. Great casting and quality.

Cast iron crucifix. Great casting and quality.

Cast iron crucifix. Great casting and quality.

Cast iron crucifix. Great casting and quality.

A collection of specimen butterflies and coral, circa 1920 Provenance: Private Collection, Paris Just purchased more information to follow. Measures: Box frame height 50cm Bo...

Eagle shape made from 800 silver bentwood extremely finely processed (V-214).

A fine Louis XVI style gilt-bronze mounted baby grand Piano by Gaveau à Paris. Serial number 67874. This fine baby grand piano has a quarter-veneered top with a stiff leaf cas...

Table top, brass refracting telescope on folding cabriole leg base. Objective lens is 3 possibly 3.25" diameter with additional solar viewing eyepiece, and lens cap. The telescope fu...

Circa 1920 Monumental Parisian bird cage mansion Architectural bird house based on a famous Paris Brothel Sourced in Belgium   Measures: W117 x D51 x H90 cm.

Rare, one of a kind. This unique Art Nouveau bronze inkwell, signed by Cuzin, circa 1918 representing USA President Tommy Wilson (28th USA President from 1913-1921). This i...

Early 20th century Rare collection of 12 Lithograph French Game Cards We are proud to offer a very rare full set of 12 lithograph French game ca...

René Lalique (1860-1945) Gros Gland Feuille Moulded-pressed and patinated glass hatpin Chiseled metal mount First introduced in 1912 Illustrated in...

A fabulous pair of World War 1 British Officers Military binoculars made in France, the bridge engraved M G (Ministere de la Guerre) created for the British Military for use during W...

This WWI poster features a woman wearing long robes holding a red cross symbol in her right hand and an American flag in her left. The figure is set in fro...