Vicent Edwards Spanish 915 Sterling Silver Cigarette Case
Cigarette Case / Personal Accessory · Vicent Edwards (Valencia, Spain). A notable mid-20th-century Spanish silversmith known for high-purity silver personal accessories and traditional craftsmanship techniques.
Pattern: Custom / Plain Modernist. While not part of a named pattern, it reflects the mid-century trend for sleek, portable silver luxuries with signature stippled engravings.
Type
Cigarette Case / Personal Accessory
Maker
Vicent Edwards (Valencia, Spain). A notable mid-20th-century Spanish silversmith known for high-purity silver personal accessories and traditional craftsmanship techniques.
Material
915 Silver (Spanish Silver Standard). Consists of 91.5% pure silver with 8.5% copper. This is slightly lower than British sterling (.925) but higher than Continental 800 silver.
Dimensions
Estimated 8cm x 6cm x 1.5cm. Weight is likely between 80g and 120g, which is standard for a pocket-sized handheld case intended for daily use.
Description
A sleek, sophisticated silver cigarette case by Vicent Edwards. This piece exemplifies Spanish high-purity silverwork, featuring a highly polished exterior and a distinctive hand-dotted signature that adds a personalized, artisanal touch. Its soft, pillowed form balances utility with the cool elegance of precious metal.
Key Features
Distinguished stippled 'pointillé' signature on the face; use of the 915 Spanish silver standard; ergonomic rounded corners; mirror-polished surface finish.
Material & Composition
915 Silver (Spanish Silver Standard). Consists of 91.5% pure silver with 8.5% copper. This is slightly lower than British sterling (.925) but higher than Continental 800 silver.
Finish & Decoration
Polished mirror finish with hand-stippled (pointillé) engraving of the maker's signature and fineness. The style is minimalist and functional, typical of mid-century Spanish design.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Hand-engraved stippled mark reading 'Vicent Edwards / España / 915'. The 915 indicates the Spanish First Standard for silver. Absence of the royal 'star' mark suggests a custom or workshop-identified piece.
Construction Details
Hand-raised or die-struck heavy gauge sheet silver. Features curved, rounded corners designed to fit comfortably in a suit pocket without snagging.
Functional Features
Hinged opening (clamshell style) with a snap-shut tension closure. Inner compartments likely contain elastic straps or silver bars to secure individual cigarettes.
Handle & Grip Details
N/A; The smooth, rounded edges of the case itself serve as the grip, designed for ergonomic handheld operation.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality heavy gauge metalwork. The signature is hand-executed with a punch-tool rather than machine engraved, showing the artisan's direct hand.
Authentication Indicators
The stippled engraving is a traditional Spanish method of marking that is difficult to forge. The curve of the metal and character of the '915' match known Vicent Edwards output from the 1950s-70s.
Origin & Manufacturing
Valencia, Spain. Spanish silversmithing is renowned for maintaining higher purity standards and utilizing traditional engraving techniques like the stippling seen here.
Era & Period
Modernist / Post-War Spanish (c. 1950-1970). This era in Spain combined traditional silversmithing with a desire for streamlined, international luxury aesthetics.
Age Estimate
Circa 1960. The stippled signature and the specific typography of '915' are highly indicative of Spanish silver production from the mid-20th century.
Cultural Significance
Represents the height of social smoking culture when silver accessories were essential markers of status and refinement in European cafe society.
Condition Notes
Good to Very Good. The surface shows considerable 'pocket wear' including fine scratches and scuffs consistent with frequent use. No major dents or structural deformaties are visible.
Value Estimate
$150.00 - $250.00 USD. Value is driven by the silver melt weight plus a 20-30% premium for the maker's name and functional appeal to vintage enthusiasts.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a soft microfiber cloth and a gentle silver cream like Wright's. Avoid abrasive polishes that could wear down the delicate stippled dots of the signature.
Similar Pieces
Tiffany & Co. plain sterling cases (higher price, .925 mark); German 800 silver cases (different alloy, often more ornate with engine-turning).
Interesting Facts
Spain is one of the few European countries to utilize the .915 standard specifically. Items by Vicent Edwards are often collected as examples of more accessible Mediterranean mid-century luxury.