Cartier Sterling Silver Table Lighter with Vermeil Finish
Cigarette Case / Table Lighter · Cartier, luxury goods manufacturer founded in Paris in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier, renowned worldwide for high-end jewelry, watches, and precious metal decorative accessories.
Pattern: Classic Cartier Table Lighter Collection, unpatterned smooth or brushed vermeil finish design produced throughout the mid-20th century.
Type
Cigarette Case / Table Lighter
Maker
Cartier, luxury goods manufacturer founded in Paris in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier, renowned worldwide for high-end jewelry, watches, and precious metal decorative accessories.
Material
Vermeil (heavy gold plating over .925 sterling silver base metal), incorporating internal brass and steel mechanical lighter components.
Dimensions
Standard table lighter size, approximately 5 cm to 7 cm in height and width, solid and heavy in the hand due to the internal mechanism and thick sterling silver body.
Description
An exquisite vintage table lighter crafted by the legendary house of Cartier. The piece features a heavy solid sterling silver core generously coated in a rich gold vermeil finish. The base reveals authentic French or European control hallmarks, a unique serial number (65368), and maker's marks within traditional lozenge stamps. Designed to sit elegantly on a executive desk or coffee table, it combines practical utility with uncompromising luxury, showcasing the enduring appeal of mid-century Cartier smoking accessories.
Key Features
Authentic Cartier serial numbering (65368), genuine French precious metal/import hallmarks, thick vermeil over sterling silver construction, and classic mid-century mechanical table lighter design.
Material & Composition
Vermeil (heavy gold plating over .925 sterling silver base metal), incorporating internal brass and steel mechanical lighter components.
Finish & Decoration
High-polish gold vermeil finish over solid sterling silver, showing extensive surface scratches and wear typical of vintage desk accessories, featuring a mechanical fuel cap and striking wheel mechanism.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Clearly stamped with serial number 65368, French guarantee marks (such as the crab or weevil indicating foreign silver imported into France or standard French precious metal control marks), maker's punch marks in diamond lozenge shapes, and numerical purity indicators.
Construction Details
Precision-machined metal housing with a removable threaded base plug for fuel access, integrated mechanical flint wheel, and internal fuel reservoir, reflecting high-end mid-century European metalworking.
Functional Features
Removable threaded bottom cap for fluid refilling, top-mounted flint wheel mechanism, wick aperture, and spring-loaded snuffer lever designed for tabletop tobacco use.
Handle & Grip Details
Integrated rectangular metal casing serving as the body and grip, featuring flush mechanical components without secondary handle attachments.
Craftsmanship Details
High-precision manufacturing combining fine jeweler's precious metal casting and finishing with complex mechanical lighter engineering, demonstrating excellent attention to detail and material quality.
Authentication Indicators
Clear stamping of serial number '65368', distinct French lozenge maker's marks, appropriate metal coloration showing genuine gold wear over silver, and precise mechanical tolerances typical of authentic mid-century Cartier production.
Origin & Manufacturing
Paris, France, manufactured in Cartier's high-end workshops utilizing traditional French precious metal standards and precision mechanical engineering.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern (circa 1940s-1960s), indicated by the mechanical lighter style, stamp typography, and design conventions of post-war luxury accessories.
Age Estimate
Circa 1950s based on the serial number format, hallmark style, and the popularity of luxury table lighters during the mid-20th century.
Cultural Significance
Represents the height of mid-century social entertaining and smoking culture, where luxury tobacco accessories served as prominent status symbols in sophisticated domestic and professional interiors.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good vintage condition. The exterior vermeil surface displays extensive surface scratching and wear commensurate with age and handling. The mechanical parts show patina and use wear. Structurally solid with no major dents, though functionality of the lighter mechanism is untested.
Value Estimate
Estimated market value ranges between $300 to $800 USD depending on operational condition, presence of original box, and collector demand for vintage Cartier tobacciana.
Care & Maintenance
Clean gently with a soft microfibered cloth; avoid harsh chemical dips which can strip the thin gold vermeil layer exposing the underlying sterling silver. Store in a dry environment away from moisture.
Similar Pieces
Dunhill gold-plated table lighters, Tiffany & Co. sterling silver lighters, and Cartier tank-style or cylindrical table lighters from the same era.
Interesting Facts
Mid-century Cartier smoking accessories, including table lighters and cigarette cases, were standard fixtures in the homes of Hollywood celebrities, royalty, and captains of industry, making them highly collectible today.