Antique Joseph Gloster Ltd Mint Green Guilloche Enamel Cigarette Case, Engine-Turned Sunburst, Art Deco, Birmingham, Scratches to Enamel, Hinge Gap Present

Mint green, engine-turned, and entirely itself.

One face of this Art Deco cigarette case is given entirely to colour: a translucent mint celadon guilloche enamel applied over a fine engine-turned radiating sunburst ground, the pattern visible beneath the glass as shifting geometry. The enamel is luminous, the colour sitting between sage and aqua depending on the light. The reverse is plain wavy engine-turning in silver-tone metal, undecorated, the contrast between the two faces a deliberately elegant choice.

Made in England by Joseph Gloster Ltd of Birmingham, one of the most respected names in British Art Deco vanity and accessory production. The maker's mark GL Td and Made in England export stamp are present to the interior. Gloster pieces are collected seriously, and the guilloche enamel technique, engine-turning beneath vitreous glass enamel fired to translucency, is one of the more labour-intensive decorative methods of the period.

The interior opens to two compartments with a single gold-tone elasticated retainer strap to the right half. The interior metal is gold-tone throughout, tarnished and marked with age. Surface scratches are present to the enamel face, and a gap is visible at the hinge, both clearly documented in the photographs. Priced to reflect condition.

The Particulars:

• Maker: Joseph Gloster Ltd, Birmingham, England, marked GL Td and Made in England
• Type: Cigarette case, rectangular
• Era: Art Deco, c. 1930s
• Technique: Guilloche enamel over engine-turned ground, translucent mint celadon
• Reverse: Fine wavy horizontal engine-turning, silver-tone
• Interior: Two compartments, gold-tone elasticated retainer strap to right half, gold-tone metal throughout, tarnished
• Condition: Surface scratches to enamel face. Gap present at hinge. Interior tarnished. Please review all photos carefully before purchasing.

A pocket object made with considerable skill, carrying its colour across nine decades without apology.

Arrives tucked inside its own treasure coffin and carefully wrapped as a vault relic, ready for gifting or keeping.