‘Zeppelin Airplane’ Smoker’s Companion,1920s

J.A. Henckels of Solingen, Germany

A rare Art Deco ‘Zeppelin Airplane’ smoker’s companion in the form of a stylized airplane, consisting of a gilded cigar receptacle in the main fuselage, a pair of gilt-lined removable cigarette cases in the wings, a set of four gilt-lined ashtrays housed behind a match safe with removable cover and striker, the sprung propeller serving as a cigar cutter, with wheels attached to a removable ‘undercarriage’.

Wingspan: 9 inches (23 cm)
Length: 9 inches (23 cm)

The firm of J.A Henckels were renowned for their innovative and ingenious pieces designed with the long-distance traveller in mind. From the 19th century onwards, they were responsible for many different types of travelling drink and picnic sets, intended for use in circumstances where the availability of refreshment was uncertain. This smoker’s companion was evolved from the Zeppelin ‘Airplane’ cocktail set design that Henckels based on their earlier ‘Zeppelin’, but that had hip flasks for the ‘wings’. In the case of the smoker’s companion, the ‘wings’ are in fact cigarette cases.

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