This is a cigarette case by Volupté, an American company from Elizabeth, New Jersey. The company was founded in 1926 and closed its doors in the mid 1950s. The case measures approximately 5 1/4 x 3 inches, and is inlaid enamel over a gold-tone metal. The design is Persian- or Indian-inspired, with what I think are Ibis or Antelope, Peacocks and other birds and the cutest "smiling" elephants! The colors are subtle teals, ochers and a bit of scarlet, with a white wash in the filigree background. The edges are also engraved and washed with the subtle white enamel. The whole case is only 3/8 inches deep, and when closed, the cutline is barely visible between the top and bottom. The workmanship is exemplary, and having been kept in a drawer, away from sunlight all these years, the case appears as new.
It's really terribly sad that American companies no longer manufacture much at all, as the quality of my vintage domestic collectibles is second-to-none.
Looks like there might be a bit of "friskiness" going on behind those elephants, maybe that's why they are smiling. Reminds me of the dinnerware in 'La Cage aux Follies'.
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautiful piece and a shame that there is no longer any pride or incentive for good quality American products. The colors are so rich.
I wonder if our manufacturing base will ever come back? Today, the companies that still produce things here are all high-end, or artisans that produce one-offs. Which are great, but it's not like when you could buy a high quality mass produced item built by Americans. We really need some sort of initiative from our leaders and elected officials! There seems to be the feeling that producing things is blue collar and not "good enough." But why should everything we buy be made in other countries that don't have the same human rights laws and humane conditions that we have here? Why must workers be abused making our daily items? It makes no sense to me. I'm just glad I really have EVERYTHING I could ever need already. I haven't bought a household item in years. Of course, I live like it's the 1960s, lol.
ReplyDeleteI love the name of the company -- Volupte -- someone in charge had a wonderful imagination. I wonder what else they made? Only voluptuous items, I'm guessing!
ReplyDeleteAs far as living in the 60s, why not? I would miss my 46" TV and the internet, but not much else -- after all, cars had disc brakes and alternators in the 60s -- two things I wouldn't want to be without on a day-to-day basis!
Paul, NYC
yeah, I guess I should have said "the Sixties with Internet" haha. My TV is 8 years old and only 25 inches! But it's on 24 hours a day, so it's a workhorse! It also has a nicely painted woodgrain finish. I hated the gray plastic and fake chrome it had so I painted it over. The only thing is I HAVE to use the remote because I painted over all the buttons they don't work anymore, lol.
ReplyDeleteYour TV will live forever -- I don't think these modern ones do. The new oens don't even come with any buttons so one has to be real careful about keeping track of the remote. One time I made the bed with the remote under the covers and I went nuts trying to find it.
ReplyDeleteNothing is easy, is it!
Paul, NYC
EASY. WHAT'S EASY IN THIS CRAZY WORLD?
ReplyDeleteGRANNY
I JUST HAD SOME FUN. I GOT TO TALK TO ROSS ON THE ROSS TALKY BLOG TONIGHT. I GOT ALL TONUGE TIED BECAUSE I WAS SURPRISE WHEN HE SAID HELLO. I COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT I GOT THROUGH. IT'S SO MUCH EASIER TO TALK FACE TO FACE. ALTHOUGH HE KNOWS ME AND I'VE TALKED TO HIM THREE TIMES THIS PAST COUPLE OF YEARS. HE'S ONE SWEET YOUNG MAN. I EVEN GOT A BIRTHDAY GIFT FROM HIM WHEN HE WAS DOING THE INSDER SHOW BACK A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. SO SO FUN. MUST GET TO BED. I WENT FOR SOME BLOOD WORK AND TURN AROUND AND CAME HOME. MORE THAN FIFTY PEOPLE IN THE ROOM . I HADN'T EATEN SINCE LAST NIGHT AND KNE I COULDN'T WAIT THAT LONG. WILL TRY NEXT WEEL.
ReplyDeleteGN CASEY GN
congratulations on talking with Ross! that must have been exciting! eat something good tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteI know if I could still buy cigarette cases like that, I'd have a nice collection of them, and would use one every day! Just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYes, Granny, eat something nutritious today, and then have a tasty dessert! :)
I couldn't live in the 50's or 60's any more. Women's roles in society were too stifling for me. Oy. LOL
Katie
I have a very similar case gold with enamel inlay of same exotic animals although they say mine is 19th century and is marked INDIA behind the mirror inside of case and although I've never cleaned it the gold and enamel are much shiny.
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