Jasper cigarette box and ashtray, 1970s

Lot Closed

May 30, 02:15 PM GMT

Estimate

6,000 - 8,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

Comprising: a rectangular hinged case with stylised thumbpiece marked VGE for Valery Giscard D'Estang, applied with marble inlays, opening to reveal a compartment, measuring approximately 155 x 110 x 38mm, signed Cartier, numbered; and an ashtray, measuring approximately 128 x 84 x 27mm, unsigned, all in fitted case stamped Cartier.

Valéry Giscard d’Estaing (1926-2020) was President of the French Republic from 1974 to 1981. He was the third President of the Fifth Republic. During WW2 he was a member of the French Resistance and protected Alexandre Parodi during the Liberation of Paris in 1944. His political career started in 1956 when he was elected to the National Assembly and became Secretary of State for Finances from 1959 - 1962. He became president in 1974, reducing the voting age to 18 and pushing for the creation of the TGV high speed network.