Art Deco Cigarette Cases

Bulgari Art Deco Cigarette Case c1936

Withdrawing one of these sexy little babies from your purse was the epitome of cool glamour.

A bit of history...The Flappers of the 1920s created a frenzy when they started smoking in public.

These brash, brazen women were defying convention and shaping fashion and culture in the process.

The cigarette case was to 1920s silver screen goddess what the water bottle is to today's Hollywood starlet - the ultimate fashion accessory.

Art Deco Cigarette Holder

It's no wonder that manufacturers began to 'glamify' traditionally masculine objects like cigarette holders.

When previously these cases were basic silver or enamel, with no embellishment whatsoever, now fashion houses like Cartier and Bulgari were producing Deco cigarette compacts made out of gold and encrusted with rubies, diamonds and other precious gemstones to appeal to their new female customers.

Art Deco Cigarette Case and Lighter

The Art Deco cigarette holder is a much in-demand collectible today. This Art Deco French 18ct. gold cigarette case by Cartier sold for over $4,000!

Looking at these gorgeous, sparkly little cases almost makes me want to take up smoking. (Almost.)

Photos courtesy: 1. robertonthearts.com, 2. elementsgallery.com, 3. christies.com, 4. langantiques.com, 5. shapiro.com