Antique Napoleon III Cigar Humidor In Blackened Wood And Brass – Signed Tahan Paris, Circa 1850

A superb and authentic Napoleon III-era tabletop cigar humidor (mid-19th century, circa 1850–1860).

This exceptionally high-quality cabinet was crafted by the prestigious Maison TAHAN, the official cabinetmaker and tablemaker to Emperor Napoleon III and the Imperial Court.
Box made of blackened wood (pear wood) veneer, elegantly accented on the lid and sides by double inlaid brass fillets. The center of the lid features a rich, cut-out cartouche of chiseled brass decorated with volutes and foliage in the Boulle style, stamped with an original engraved monogram (initials “BP”).

The interior reveals its highly sought-after original function. It features a perforated mahogany display (or carousel) with 35 vertical compartments designed to store and display cigars upright without damaging their wrappers. The right side opens to two separate compartments equipped with turned ebony pull knobs, intended for smoking accessories (cigar cutter, matches).
The piece retains its original brass hinges as well as its functional lock, complete with its original ring key.

The Maison Tahan, a renowned 19th-century manufacturer of objets d’art and fine cabinetry led by Jean-Pierre Alexandre Tahan, operated a prestigious store at 30 rue de la Paix in Paris approximately between 1849 and 1866. Thanks to the great finesse of its craftsmanship (fine marquetry, inlays of semi-precious stones, mother-of-pearl, or porcelain), the firm became “ Supplier to the King and Princes”, and later the official cabinetmaker to Emperor Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie