Cigarette Case (Van)
Name/Title
Cigarette Case (Van)Description
A nielloed silver cigarette case crafted by Armenian silversmiths in Van. The case is hallmarked in Arabic script with the word "Van" and a sterling silver purity mark of 900. The inscription on the case reads "10 Temmuz 324," which corresponds to July 23, 1908, in the Gregorian calendar. Intriguingly, this date coincides with the historic Young Turk Revolution. The front cover depicts the state stamp printed by Sultan REŞAD, the sultan of the period, with the Ottoman Souvenir of Van and Van roses motifs. Back cover is engraved in envelope form. The term savat originates from the Arabic word sevad (meaning black, darkness, or darkening) and refers to black patterns and designs applied to silver. This technique, comparable to "enamel" and often called "black enamel," is applied exclusively to finished forms. During the Ottoman Empire, Armenian jewelers, including palace craftsmen, mastered this art, with exceptional examples displayed in Turkish Islamic art museums. The most exquisite pieces were created by masters in Van, making items stamped with "VAN" particularly valuable. Savat reached its peak during the Ottoman golden age, with Turkish tobacco boxes featuring this technique gaining international renown, especially in Parisian jewelry shops. Today, savat pieces are highly prized collectibles. The process involves two stages: engraving the design (pen work) and applying the savat alloy to complete the composition.Category
Cigarette Case