GOLD CIGARETTE CASE COMMEMORATING THE TERCENTENARY OF THE HOUSE OF

A unique gold cigarette case made in St Petersburg by Morozov, Purveyor to the Imperial Court, representing an exceptional example of Russian jewellery from the late Imperial period. Its decorative programme and emphatic dynastic symbolism place the object among the commemorative Imperial presentation pieces associated with the celebrations marking the tercentenary of the House of Romanov in 1913. Of rectangular form with rounded corners, the cigarette case is crafted in 56 zolotnik gold. The composition of the cover brings together some of the most significant emblems of the Russian monarchy. Its surface is embellished with two repoussé Imperial Russian double-headed eagles, each accented with a diamond. Above the eagles is a repoussé representation of the Cap of Monomakh, one of the most ancient regalia of the Russian sovereigns and a potent symbol of the continuity of Tsarist and autocratic authority. The Cap of Monomakh is set with diamonds, sapphires and rubies. The push-piece is set with an oval cabochon sapphire. The restrained architectural form of the case and the simplicity of its gold surface provide an effective setting for this symbolically charged composition. The combination of the double-headed eagle and the historic coronation regalia lends the object a distinctly official and ceremonial character, particularly resonant with the visual culture surrounding the dynastic celebrations of 1913. Objects of this type belonged to a distinguished category of precious presentation and commemorative works intended for formal presentation to members of the Imperial Court, senior government officials and officers of the Russian Empire. The high quality of the goldsmith`s work, the use of gold and precious stones, and the carefully conceived Imperial iconography distinguish this cigarette case as an important example of Russian jewellery from the final years of the Empire. Marks: Maker`s mark of the unidentified workmaster with the Cyrillic initials «И.П.» (I.P.), known to have worked for Morozov; full firm`s mark «В. МОРОЗОВЪ» (V. MOROZOV); Imperial Warrant mark of Purveyor to the Imperial Court; St Petersburg state assay mark for 1908-1917, comprising a woman`s head in a kokoshnik facing right, Greek letter «α», and the zolotnik standard «56». Dimensions: Height 1.3 cm. Length 9 cm. Width 6 cm. Weight: 83 g. Condition: Excellent collectible condition. Minor traces of age and use.

Estimate:£6,693.75

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