My 19th century Spanish briar wood cigarette case

The box is carved from one piece.

Six heraldic shields of arms in enamel (Basque Country-Euskal Herria, León, Navarra)

The briar is a bush that grows in all forests of the mediterranean area, from Greece to Argelia including Italy, France, Spain and Morocco. This bush develops a ball-like root which is cut in blocks (plateaux and ebauchons).

Read Full Post »