Antique Solid Silver Cigar Case with Indian Army Military Interest Records Hand Engraved - c.1890

Description and Details 

We are delighted to offer this exceptionally engraved and interesting antique solid silver cigar case made c.1890. 

The cigar case is made from a good gauge of silver and is unmarked, leading us to ponder whether it was a bespoke English piece or perhaps purchased somewhere else where this army officer was stationed and subsequently engraved. 

Whilst the case is relatively plain, its history, records and story have been meticulously hand-engraved and are certainly its highlight. The case tells the story and history of Major John Mary Camilleri of the Indian army (for context, at the time, the Indian Army was part of the British Indian Army). 

It is entirely engraved with all the places he was stationed and served, along with some names of operations. The extensive list is intriguing and paints the vastness of how much travel and different countries were visited, no less than: India, Italy, Czech, Malta, England, Austria, Germany, France, Singapore, Japan, China & Korea. 

Further to its historic interest is its chronological storytelling, whereby the stations have been dated and another point of consideration is that after each move, he would have had the case hand-engraved most probably by different engravers (or even in different continents) to keep a record of his journey. One can imagine this case had travelled with him to all these destinations and how many stories could be told if this case could talk. 

The front and back has also been engraved with a monogram and crest. 

Overall, a very unique and interesting example of a historic and military interest piece of silverware that carries a story far beyond its utilitarian purpose of a cigar case.  

The case is unmarked, and as such, we have tested it for silver. 

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