A lithographed cardboard box from the Araks Grand Egyptian Cigarette Factory, owned by Tchamkerten & Co., based in Alexandria. This production dates from the golden age of Egyptian cigarettes destined for European export at the end of the 19th and the very beginning of the 20th century. The polychrome chromolithography blends Orientalist iconography, inscriptions in French and Arabic, international trade names (Alexandria, Antwerp, Geneva), and a camel emblem, all typical of pre-World War I Egyptian production. This particular box retains some of its original contents, including rolled cigarettes still printed with the brand name, a rare feature for this type of packaging.
✦ Origin: Egypt, Alexandria ✦ Estimated period: Circa 1900-1915 ✦ Dimensions: approx. 8 x 7 x 1.5cm ✦ Material: Lithographed cardboard ✦ Condition: Good overall condition with signs of wear, slightly marked corners, colors well preserved - Contents: 13 original cigarettes present
An antique Egyptian cigarette box sought after for its orientalist design and its link with the great factories of Alexandria, ideal for a collection of antique tobaccos or a cabinet of curiosities.
