Set of three cigarette cases, first half of the 20th century

Set of three cigarette cases, first half of the 20th century.
Hallmarked silver, partially gilded.
Bears various hallmarks and silversmith’s marks.
Decorated with engraved monograms. The interior elastic bands are partially intact.
They show patina, scuffs, and minor signs of wear consistent with their age.
Total weight: 260 g.
Measurements of the largest piece: 10 × 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 remained particularly dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the family legacy, acquiring works by the painters themselves as they came onto the market and gradually expanding the collection with paintings, sculptures, archaeological artifacts, and other objects of artistic and historical interest.

The variety of hallmarks, finishes, and monograms lends special interest to this set of silver cigarette cases, representative of personal accessories from the early decades of the 20th century. The three pieces share a rectangular shape with rounded corners and understated exterior surfaces, enlivened solely by elegant engraved monograms, although they differ both in their hallmarks and in their interior finishes.

The interiors partially retain the original overgilding, and in one case, the elastic bands used to hold the cigarettes. Among the visible hallmarks, the “0900” hallmark stands out on one of the pieces, while the others bear different hallmarks indicating distinct origins or workshops. Their simple design, portability, and personalization with initials reflect the taste for personal items made of precious metals that became widespread during the interwar period.