Vintage Art Deco Cigarette Case, Brown Marbled Lacquer, Cream Band, NOS, Attributed to JUST

Amber lines wander across polished brown, beneath a single sweep of cream.

This new old stock cigarette case has a rich reddish-brown marbled lacquer exterior, crossed by warm amber-coloured veining. A broad cream band, accompanied by a narrow parallel stripe and fine metallic outlines, cuts across one end of the front. The reverse continues the brown marbled decoration without the cream accent, allowing the branching pattern to take centre stage.

Inside is a bright gold-tone finish with a woven retaining band spanning one compartment. Vaen’kai Vault’s research attributes this example to JUST, Spain, circa the 1930s. The faint interior markings are not sufficiently clear in these photographs to independently verify their full wording, so maker, origin, and date are retained as research attributions. The exterior is lacquer rather than enamel, as identified by the seller.

The Particulars

• Type: Vintage Art Deco cigarette case
• Maker attribution: JUST, according to the seller’s research
• Origin and period attribution: Spain, circa 1930s, according to the seller’s research
• Stock history: New old stock, represented by the seller as unused vintage inventory
• Finish: Lacquer, not enamel, as identified by the seller
• Front: Brown marbled ground with amber veining, a broad cream band, and a narrow parallel stripe
• Reverse: Brown marbled decoration with amber-coloured veining
• Interior: Gold-tone finish with woven retaining band
• Metal composition: Unconfirmed; no precious-metal or gilding claim
• Condition: Very minimal overall exterior age wear, with localised scratches and fitting wear visible in close-up
• Included: Case only; photographic props excluded

The lacquer retains a glossy appearance. Close-ups show scattered fine scratches and small scuffs, particularly near the hinge on the reverse, together with localised rubbing to the edges and metallic outlines. Silver-coloured areas are visible where the hinge finish has worn. The gold-tone interior remains bright with small surface marks; the woven retaining band shows loose fibres at its end. Its remaining elasticity has not been established.

NOS describes unused vintage stock, not newly manufactured or entirely age-free condition. The amber veining is decorative, not a claim of natural stone. The case is photographed open and closed, but catch strength and exact carrying capacity have not been tested. Please study the detailed photographs alongside the overall views.

A warm-toned pocket relic for a keeper drawn to marbled colour and the restrained geometry of Art Deco. Carefully nestled in its treasure coffin, a vault relic from Vaen’kai Vault.