Cigarette box

John Paul Cooper (1869-1933) initially trained as an architect. He worked in the offices of J. D. Sedding and Henry Wilson. In 1897, on Wilson's advice, he took up metalwork. He was largely responsible for reviving the use of shagreen. Shagreen was originally a species of untanned leather, but from about 1750 nurse sharkskin or the less expensive dogfish skin was used. It was traditionally used to cover a vast variety of containers. These ranged from boxes for tea caddies, knife boxes, canteens, small pocket or presentation cases and spectacle cases.

Cigarette box · London · ca. 1930. Silver mounts, with shagreen and walnut core and silver finial. By John Paul Cooper. Victoria and Albert Museum, London.