Purera; Venice, c. 1870

Purera; Venice, c. 1870
Mahogany wood and gilded bronze
Measurements: 30,5 x 18 x 14 cm.

Purera or cigar display stand in mahogany wood with rich ornamentation of palmettes and scrolls in gilded bronze. By means of a lever mechanism located in one of the sides two spaces are discovered to lodge eighteen pieces. A lion's head in the central space contains a blade in its jaws to cut the cigars, the remains falling into the niche immediately below the animal, in the form of a veneration. The set is topped by a vase intended to contain matches. Finally, two scrapers appear on the sides.

Throughout history, tobacco has played a significant role in various cultures, not only as a consumer product, but also as a ritual, economic and social symbol. Its introduction into Europe after contact with America marked the beginning of a practice that soon spread globally, influencing everything from aristocratic customs to popular rituals. In this context, objects used for smoking, such as pipes, acquired a relevance that transcended their practical functionality.