Sèvres Porcelain Cigar Box For Hermann Göring

Rectangular Sèvres porcelain cigar box produced during the German occupation, 1943

Glazed porcelain, painted and gilded decoration
Exterior decoration: midnight blue background, adorned with a gilded eagle holding a swastika, resting on two crossed marshal's batons
Border: gilded border
Inside of lid: handwritten signature "Hermann Göring" in gold

Reverse: Sèvres factory mark (intertwined double S dated 43), gilded Iron Cross, gilded pads.

Presented in its original midnight blue case, interior lined with blue velvet.

During the German Occupation (1940–1944), the Sèvres national factory was called upon to produce prestigious pieces for Reich dignitaries.

Hermann Göring, Reichsmarschall, commissioned several objects, including dinner services, platters, and plates. and cigar boxes. These pieces are distinguished by the presence of his personal emblem (eagle and swastika), as well as by his gold signature applied to the inside of the lids. These objects were intended to be given as gifts at official receptions, hunts at Carinhall, or diplomatic ceremonies.

Their very limited production illustrates the exploitation of French manufacturers by the occupying authorities.

The original case and box are in perfect condition, making the set a rarity.

See: Sèvres, National Manufacture and Museum

In 1943, the factory continued to work on the production of the other objects included in Göring's enormous order. These included 300 cigar boxes bearing Göring's signature in gold on the lid, intended as gifts, of which approximately half were delivered.

The top of the lid has a cobalt blue background, on which the imperial eagle and swastika are painted in gold. The bombing of April 4 1943 having damaged the porcelain paste as well as a number of objects in production, Janneau wrote to Moufang on June 1, proposing modifications to these boxes. Janneau's recommendation of "a gold vermiculated decoration applied by fire on the concave parts of the lid and the very rim of the box, in the part decorated with agate blue" was adopted and implemented.

Excerpt from

Sèvres under German occupation (1940–1944), the commissions of Hermann Goering. In: Sèvres. Revue de la Société des Amis du Musée national de Céramique, no. 24, 2015. pp. 108-117.

OUR BOX IS PERFECTLY IDENTICAL TO THE ONE PRESENTED TO GÖRING for his birthday (richer in decoration and gilding). The only photo on Alamy stock showing exactly the same box as ours (more extensive gilding - feet, legs (a gilded animal).

According to Alamy, these pieces are part of an official Sèvres porcelain dinner service presented by occupied France to Hermann Göring for his fiftieth birthday.

The blue piece with the eagle is particularly significant because it directly bears the Reichsmarschall's insignia.

Note:

The name "cigar box" is probably a designation of convenience.
Given the dimensions and comparisons, this is more likely a cigarette box than a true cigar box.