Not currently on display at the V&A

Cigarette Box

1957-1958 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This silver cigarette box would have held loose cigarettes. The strong geometric form shows some degree of Scandinavian influence. Both these characteristics featured in the work of Gerald Benney (b.1930) in the 1950s, when he designed and made this piece. He used the traditional raising technique, which involves shaping the silver by hammering it over an iron block or anvil.

Benney graduated from the Royal College of Art in London in 1955 and by 1957 was consultant designer to Viners of Sheffield, a major producer of hollow ware and flatware. Benney successfully combined working as an industrial designer and a silversmith and the two disciplines often directly influenced each other.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silver, raised
Brief description
Silver, London hallmarks for 1957-8, mark of Gerald Benney.
Physical description
Cigarette box, silver with rounded corners and dished lid.
Dimensions
  • Length: 10.4cm
  • Width: 7.9cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • Mark of AGB for Adrian Gerald Sallis Benney.
  • London hallmarks for 1957-8
Object history
Designed and made by Gerald Benney, shortly after graduating from the Royal College of Art for the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths. Sold to the V&A as a duplicate.

Goldsmiths' Hall Exhibition RF.2004/1017
Summary
This silver cigarette box would have held loose cigarettes. The strong geometric form shows some degree of Scandinavian influence. Both these characteristics featured in the work of Gerald Benney (b.1930) in the 1950s, when he designed and made this piece. He used the traditional raising technique, which involves shaping the silver by hammering it over an iron block or anvil.

Benney graduated from the Royal College of Art in London in 1955 and by 1957 was consultant designer to Viners of Sheffield, a major producer of hollow ware and flatware. Benney successfully combined working as an industrial designer and a silversmith and the two disciplines often directly influenced each other.
Collection
Accession number
M.345-1977

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdFebruary 23, 2005
Record URL
Download as: JSON