Sterling Silver “Miami Jockey Club” Cigarette Dispenser, 1940

This sterling silver cigarette dispenser was presented at the Miami Jockey Club Dinner Stakes on February 22, 1940 — an object born of spectacle, sport, and formal ceremony. Its compact architectural form is defined by clean rectilinear planes and a precise front aperture, softened only by a gilt horse-head finial that introduces a note of figural relief. The engraved dedication and script signature anchor it firmly in time, transforming it from accessory to artifact.

Mechanically straightforward and intentionally restrained, the box dispenses from the front. The silver surface shows honest wear, a record of handling rather than display. It belongs to a tradition of club trophies and presentation pieces that were meant to be used daily — pocketed, passed, and kept close — carrying with them the atmosphere of the track and the private rooms that followed.

Dimensions: 3.75" W × 4.75" D × 5" H
Style: Late Art Deco
Materials & Techniques: Sterling silver with gilt horse-head finial; engraved
Place of Origin: Miami, Florida
Period: Dated 1940