Hi Shelby,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

Cedar (typically Spanish cedar) regulates humidity and repels tobacco beetles — essential for preserving cigars. A silver exterior elevates a practical humidor into a luxury object. The combination signals that the owner valued both connoisseurship and refinement. Silver cigar boxes were popular from the late 19th to early 20th century, when cigar smoking was tied to masculine social rituals — gentlemen’s clubs, political offices, and formal entertaining. They evoke a world of private libraries, leather chairs, and after-dinner cigars; sometimes they are engraved with names, dates or club affiliations, which can increase their value.

I can see the mark and while I can't make out for certain what it says, I'm fairly confident this is a Continental mark. You'll need to confirm that this isn't silver plate (I usually don't see tarnishing to such extent unless it's silver plate) but assuming this is silver, a small box like this would likely sell at auction for between $100 and $200.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

An antique Continental silver cedar lined cigar box
unintelligible mark, late 19th or early 20th Century
Of rectangular section with lift-off lid with a relief scene of courtly figures in a landscape, the sides with landscape relief, the bottom with stylized diamond and floral decoration, indistinctly marked.
(Height:) by width: 4 inches by 3-1/2 inches
CONDITION: With some losses and tarnishing
PROVENANCE: Acquired at a house cleanout
$100-200*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia