A Very Rare and historically important Russian World War I Imperial presentation tobacco case by Faberge, made by the Faberge’s Moscow branch around 1915. Die-stamped copper and brass case is decorated with tsarist double headed eagle and inscription in Russian WAR 1914 * 1915 K. FABERGE. Condition: overall pocket wear, some shallow dents. 2 3/8 x 3 3/4 in. (6 x 9,5 cm).

What makes this case special is the engraving on the back: crowned cipher of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna (wife of Nicholas II), date ‘1916’, and inscription ‘Tsarskoe Selo’ (Tsar’s village). The case was given personally by Empress Alexandra to a wounded soldier at the Tsarskoe selo hospital on Easter day of 1916.

Only a very small number of such Faberge WWI cases have Imperial engravings. The majority are plain.

Empress Alexandra with her two older daughters wearing nurse uniforms. As a part of their contribution to the war effort, the Empress set up a hospital at the Tsarskoe Selo Palace (main Imperial residence outside St. Petersburg) and actually worked at that hospital as a nurse.