Set of four cigarette cases, early decades of the 20th century

Set of four cigarette cases, early decades of the 20th century.
Hallmarked silver, some partially gilded on the inside.
One is marked “STERLING 925” and another with the fineness mark “900”; the remaining cases bear different silversmith’s hallmarks and fineness marks.
They show patina and signs of wear consistent with their age.
Total weight: 376 g.
Measurements of the largest piece: 9 × 8 cm.

Provenance: Family bequest of Ramon Martí Alsina and Ricard Martí Aguiló.
An art and heritage collection whose origins lie in the legacy of the Catalan painters Ramon Martí Alsina (1826–1894), a key figure in 19th-century Catalan realism, and his son Ricard Martí Aguiló (1857–1935).

Passed down and enriched over successive generations, the collection brings together works from the original estates of both artists, along with new acquisitions made by their descendants. They maintained a special dedication to the preservation and restoration of the family legacy, acquiring works by the painters themselves as they came onto the market and progressively expanding the collection with paintings, sculptures, archaeological pieces, and other objects of artistic and historical interest.

The variety of ornamental techniques and hallmarks makes this collection an interesting example of the diversity achieved by personal silver accessories during the early decades of the 20th century. The four cigarette cases feature compact shapes with rounded profiles, but display distinctly different decorative treatments: one incorporates a horse’s head modeled in relief; another features an Art Nouveau-inspired geometric composition with stylized zoomorphic motifs; and the remaining ones feature smooth, fluted, or discreetly engraved surfaces.

Some interiors retain a gold-plated finish, a common practice valued both for its decorative appeal and for the protection it offered to the silver surface. The set reflects the rise of cigarette cases as objects of personal use and social status during the turn of the century and the interwar period.