FRENCH 1918 Art-Deco Lacquered Desk Cigar Box In The Shape of a WWI Tank
An art deco WWI Tank shaped desk cigar box humidor.
This is a fabulous and rare desk cigar box-humidor created in France during the art deco period, circa 1918. The amazing piece is very decorative and designed in the stylized shape of the French WWI Saint-Charmond Tank. The cigar humidor has been crafted with geometric sharp lines in carved cedar wood and embellished with black and gray lacquers. It is fitted with a push lock and two hinges.
French Saint-Charmond Tank
The Saint. Chamond was a French heavy tank, the second model used by the French Army in World War I. Its design was inadequate and was conceived primarily because of a commercial rivalry. The war ended before it was replaced by the British Mark series tanks. Born of the commercial rivalry existing with the makers of the Schneider CA1 tank, the Saint-Chamond was an underpowered and fundamentally inadequate design. Its principal weakness was its Holt caterpillar tracks. They were much too short in relation to the vehicle's length and weight (23 tons). Later models attempted to rectify some of the tank's original flaws by installing wider and stronger track shoes, thicker frontal armour and the more effective 75mm Mle 1897 field gun. Altogether 400 Saint-Chamond tanks were built, including 48 unarmed caisson tanks. The Saint-Chamond tanks remained engaged in various actions until October 1918, belatedly becoming more effective since combat had moved out of the trenches and onto open ground. Eventually, the Saint-Chamond tanks were scheduled to be entirely replaced by imported British heavy tanks.
Country: Europe, France.
Period: Art-Deco, circa-1918-1922.
Materials: Cedar wood, steel, nickel and black lacquer.
Weight: About 1.5 pounds (0.68 Kg.).
Measurements: 120 mm by 267 mm by 143 mm (4.75 x 10.5 x 5.83 Inches).
Condition: The overall condition of this WWI Tank desk cigar box humidor is very good, with traces of wear and small nicks. This piece has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: D040225MNNS/.5634
