Description
Vintage cigarette case made in Chester 1902 perhaps made by John Milward Banks. Owned by J S Powell from Penryn who died during the First World War. James Stanley Powell. 
This remarkable antique cigarette case is a deeply evocative survivor from the Edwardian period, crafted in solid sterling silver and assayed at the Chester Assay Office in 1902 — one of the most sought-after and now-closed British assay offices.
The case is attributed to John Milward Banks, a respected Chester silversmith known for producing high-quality personal silver wares at the turn of the 20th century. Its clean lines, tactile weight, and understated elegance reflect the refined tastes of pre-war Britain.
What truly elevates this piece is its personal provenance. The interior is engraved to J. S. Powell — identified as James Stanley Powell of Penryn, Cornwall, who later died during the First World War. This transforms the case from a beautiful Edwardian accessory into a named historical artefact, offering a tangible connection to a life interrupted by the Great War.
Silver cigarette cases were often intimate, daily-carried possessions — kept close, handled frequently, and deeply personal. That this example survives over a century later, bearing the name of a known WWI casualty, makes it especially poignant.
A powerful addition for:
- Collectors of WWI memorabilia
- Admirers of Edwardian silver
- Those drawn to named and researchable antiques
- Buyers who value objects with genuine human stories
When you buy vintage, you’re not just purchasing jewellery — you’re inheriting a story and becoming its next custodian.
🔍 KEY DETAILS
- Metal: Solid Sterling Silver (Lion Passant)
- Assay Office: Chester
- Date Letter: 1902
- Maker: Attributed to John Milward Banks
- Engraving: J. S. Powell (James Stanley Powell, Penryn)
- Period: Edwardian
- Historical Context: Pre-WWI personal silver with named WWI provenance
- Condition: Excellent antique condition, consistent with age
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