siberian nephrite, carved lapis lazuli, turquoise, rose-cut diamonds, gold, platinum | Media | Collection of Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

We have one object in this medium

A rectangular cigarette case carved from a piece of green Siberian nephrite jade with rounded corners that lead into rounded edges throughout the design. A flat piece of lapis lazuli with rounded corners crowns both top and bottom with a honeycomb pattern outlined in flat gold, bordered by rounded gold bands above and beneath the honeycomb design. A row of turquoise fills in the half honeycomb pattern closest to the ends while lapis lazuli fills in the remaining two and a half rows of the design. A short piece of platinum and nine small diamonds adorn the clasp resting in a horizontal orientation while the case aligns in a vertical orientation. The cigarette case would be cool to the touch and fit well into the palm of one’s hand. The photograph captures the face or top, left side and bottom reflecting the case’s design and a dark gray cast shadow on the bottom side all on a white ground.

Cigarette Case, Honeycomb Pattern, ca. 1929
siberian nephrite, carved lapis lazuli, turquoise, rose-cut diamonds, gold,....
Lent by Private Collection.
13.2016.75