A rare World War I Russian Imperial presentation cigarette case
with a jeweled gold cipher of Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna the Elder
The case was made at the workshop of Faberge’s master goldsmith Gabriel Niukkanen. Gold and silver cigarette cases were a specialty of the Niukkanen workshop.
This stylish silver case with plain polished cover and back, and ribbed sides, is applied with an elaborate rose gold cipher in the form of interlaced Cyrillic letters ‘М П’ for Maria Pavlovna, beneath gold Russian Imperial crown embellished with two cabochon cut sapphires and rose diamonds. The gold thumbpiece is also embellished with a cabochon sapphire. Maria Pavlovna, who was known as the Grandest of the Grand Duchesses, was the wife of Grand Duke Vladimir, uncle of Tsar Nicholas II.
Size – 6,4 x 9,6 cm (2 1/2 x 3 7/8 in.)
Weight – 143 g
Condition: moderate pocket wear with some light scratches and contact marks.
In 1896, Grand Duchess Elizabeth (sister of Empress Alexandra) established a charitable commune of Red Cross nurses in St. Petersburg. A hospital named after Grand Duchess Maria, who also participated in that project, was built within the commune. During the World War I, the commune was under the patronage of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna and Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna. The back of the cover is engraved with a presentation inscription. The case was given by Grand Duchess Maria to someone who supported her Red Cross effort during the World War I.
The engraved presentation inscription in English, indicates a non-Russian recipient.
The case is marked with workmaster’s initials ‘GN’ for Gabriel Niukkanen, 84 zolotnik old Russian silver standard (875) – St. Petersburg assay office and original Faberge’s scratched inventory number 29667.