Exceptional Antique Iraqi Islamic Solid Silver & Niello Cigarette Case c1930

Exceptional Iraqi Antique Solid Silver & Niello Cigarette Case. Skillfully hand made and signed by the silversmith. These pieces were made by skilled Mandean silversmiths of Iraq (see last photo) especially for British service personnel who were stationed there between the first and second world wars.

This will probably date to about 1930. It features extremely good quality and precise niello work details. The front depicts the magnificent ancient Persian Imperial ruins at Ctesiphon with camel caravans and the reed buildings of the southern marsh arab people.

The reverse depicts a number of sailing boats trading on the river euphrates with date palms and reed beds on the far shore. It is in very good clean condition with a superb hinge and the original elastic retainer. It closes precisely, parallel and flush as it would when it was first made. It's an unusually large size; tactile and beautifully proportioned at 170mm x 75mm x 10mm.

Its made from a very good gauge of solid silver and feels super heavy at 220g or 7.8oz! Exceptional Antique Iraqi Solid Silver and Niello Cigarette Case and fine piece of antique Islamic treasure. A good opportunity for serious collectors. The item "Exceptional Antique Iraqi Islamic Solid Silver & Niello Cigarette Case c1930" is in sale since Thursday, January 21, 2016. This item is in the category "Antiques\Silver\Solid Silver\Cigarette/ Vesta Cases". The seller is "mehdig" and is located in UK.

This item can be shipped worldwide.