1960s Wood Mechanical Cigarette Dispenser From Cochin, India

This is a wonderfully Kitsch 1960s Wood Mechanical Cigarette Dispenser From Cochin, India. Cochin, also known as Kochi, is in the Kerula region of India.

It is marked on the side with 1968-1-1, Cochin, India and was probably made as a piece of tourist ware/souvenir for visitors to the region by regional craftsman.

The treen comprises a mechanical dispenser, which works by gently pushing the lever on the back of the box. This causes the carved bird (Ibis) to dip forward at the same time as a drawer opens on the front of the box, revealing a cigarette. The bird should then take a cigarette in its beak.

A sliding piece of wood covers a compartment drawer for storing the cigarettes pre-dispensing. I’ve been unable to test whether or not the bird will still pick up a cigarette in its beak, (the beak opening looks a bit narrow and has possibly been broken at some point), but the mechanism is still in working condition.

In pretty good cosmetic condition, the box is showing age related wear and there are a few surface scratches and blemishes on the case, including splits in the wood.

Internal Drawer Measurements:

• Width: 9.5 cm.
  
• Height: 4.5 cm
  

External Approximate Size:

• Width: 18.5cm
  
• Height: 11.5cm
  
• Depth: 11.2cm
  

Please click on the following links for more tobacciana or treen.