Matchsafe Hand Holding Cigar Amid Smoke and Man Blowing Smoke
late 19th century
Classification
containers
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Stephen W. Brener and Carol B. Brener
Accession Number
1980-14-344
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This charming late 19th-century matchsafe, titled *Hand Holding Cigar Amid Smoke Man Blowing Smoke*, exemplifies the whimsical functional art popular among smokers of the Victorian era. Matchsafes like this were essential accessories before the widespread use of safety matches, designed safely store and dispense matches while doubling as pocket-sized sculptures. Crafted during a time when cigar smoking symbolized sophistication and leisure—especially among men in Europe and America—this piece captures the hazy allure of tobacco culture. The intricate design, inferred from its evocative title,...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...