261 - Valentí Cigar Humidor. Germany, 20th century.

Valentí Cigar Humidor. Germany, 20th century. Mahogany veneer. Brass inlays. Measurements: 24 x 20 x 20 cm. Provenance: Estate of Ramon Martí Alsina and Ricard Martí Aguiló. Artistic and heritage collection originating in the legacy of Catalan painters Ramon Martí Alsina (1826–1894), a seminal figure of 19th-century Catalan Realism, and his son Ricard Martí Aguiló (1857–1935). Passed down and enriched across successive generations, the collection brings together works from the original holdings of both artists alongside acquisitions made by their descendants. Dedicated to preserving and recovering the family legacy, the descendants actively reacquired works by the painters as they entered the market, progressively expanding the collection to encompass paintings, sculptures, archaeological artifacts, and other items of artistic and historical significance. Cigar humidor by Valentí, crafted from wood veneered with mahogany, whose warm reddish hue and delicate natural grain enhance the piece’s distinguished character. With a prismatic structure and understated lines, it features a hinged lid with brass hardware, as well as recessed side handles that make it easy to carry. The interior, carefully compartmentalized with wooden dividers, is designed for the organization and preservation of cigars, while the lid incorporates a circular hygrometer that allows for monitoring the relative humidity. The piece belongs to a category of smoking accessories that was particularly prized during the 20th century, in which functionality, high-quality materials, and refined craftsmanship combine to create objects with a distinctly decorative character. Rooted in the tradition of luxury cabinetmaking, this humidifier is a striking example of accessories intended for private spaces and representative offices, where such objects also acquired a value associated with prestige and elegance.