Object Description
Smokers Compendium with Secret Vesta Case Compartment, Hidden Lock and Cigar Cutter
Rare and unusual Swiss Black Forest carving of a tobacco jar shaped as a Blacksmiths Anvil complete with secret compartment and secret catch. The Anvil stands upon a wooden tree trunk base realistically carved with wood knots. Beside the anvil sits an ebonised decorative carved hammer and a pair of pliers that have a cigar cutter built in between them. When the cigar is placed and cut using the pliers, the cap end falls into a basket through a small chute carved into the side of the trunk. The Anvil at the top of the contains a hidden vesta compartment for storing matches and is accessed via the hidden horse shoe catch in the top of the anvil when turned a quarter the catch releases and the top of the anvil can be removed. To access the tobacco jar in the centre a second secret catch can be pushed to unlock the lid which pivots open. To open the catch a small oval section of the base must be pressed down which releases the spring loaded lid. The hollowed centre contains the original foil lining for storing the tobacco. The Tobacco Jar dates to the turn of the 20th century circa 1900.