Very fine, partially gilded silver trompe-l’oeil table cigar box, Moscow, 1879, superbly engraved to imitate woodgrain and tobacco tax bands with Imperial eagle. Marked with 84 standard (.875 silver), assayer’s initials, and workmaster’s initials of Alexander Muhin, inside the box on the bottom and on the lid.

Silver cigar boxes engraved to imitate original wooden boxes were fashionable in Russia from circa 1870s to the early 20th century. The earlier boxes from 1870s-1890s, in general, are of superior quality to later pieces. Cigar boxes of such size and weight are rare. The box is approximately twice as heavy as regular silver cigar boxes. Two oval engraved retailer’s labels on the sides are also rarely seen on similar boxes.

The box is in exceptional condition.

Length 8 1/4 in. (21 cm), width 5 3/8 in. (13,5 cm), height 2 3/8 in. (6 cm).

Weight 33,7 oz. (956 g)

H.UPMANN was probably the most popular French brand of Cuban cigars in the 19th century.

One of the labels is engraved with various prize medals received by the firm, including two with profile busts of Emperor Napoleon III. The other label with inscription in French ” Specially Manufactured Cigars By the Order of Mr. Depret in Moscow”.

The reverse of the lid is engraved with presentation inscription in Russian “To Feodor Feodorovich Dementiev 1854 XXV 1879 24th October From General and Governor Sultan-Shah”. Apparently, the box was a gift from the Governor of a province in the Russian Central Asia to a merchant. There is another date ‘1844’ and abbreviation Cyrillic ‘R.O.’, perhaps for ‘Russian Society’.

Corners of the lid are decorated with skillfully engraved horse wagon carrying boxes with abbreviation ‘R.O.’, locomotive, steamship, and scales with packages marked ‘R.O’.