The story of this beautiful item begins with the narrative of its creator, Patrick Mavros. To fully grasp and appreciate Mavros’s creations, one must first understand his personal background, especially the environment in which he lives and creates. Born and raised in Zimbabwe, his paternal grandfather hails from Greece, while his maternal roots are Scottish. During his childhood, Mavros developed an interest in the animal world and spent much time in nature. However, at the age of six, he was afflicted with polio, rendering him unable to move independently for several years. Ironically, this challenging period exposed his artistic abilities—painting, carving, and sculpting. While studying at a seminary, he excelled in subjects related to the animal kingdom and developed a love for cigar culture after a teacher recited the Rudyard Kipling poem “The Betrothed,” which explores the dilemma of a young engaged man comparing commitment to a woman with a cigar.
Mavros later fought in the Rhodesian Bush War and was hospitalized towards the end of the conflict. During his hospitalization, he carved a pair of earrings from a wooden brace for his newlywed wife. When other women saw the earrings on his wife’s ears and heard that they were crafted by her husband, they requested similar pieces. This unexpected demand led Mavros to open a studio, initially focusing on carving and later transitioning to silver sculpting using the “lost wax casting” method—a complex multi-stage process that achieves the highest level of detail.
Mavros’s estate, spanning 6,000 acres, includes a reserve representing the African wildlife—from birds and snakes to lions, monkeys, and elephants. The featured creation in the photograph, “Lion and Monkeys,” is an artistically sculpted cigar stand made of sterling silver. In the center, two of the three wise monkeys stand on the lion, holding the cigar tray. The third monkey, “See no evil,” hides behind the lion’s hind legs, enjoying a handcrafted 18-karat gold cigar.
In conclusion, the elaborate altar for a high-quality cigar comes with a price tag of $13,500
