An extremely rare and unusual antique Russian steel small box for gambling chips by Tula Arms factory (Russian: Тульский оружейный завод), circa 1780, completely covered with etched and polished decorations.

In the collection of the Hermitage, there is a small Tula steel box with gambling chips etched with flowers. It is mentioned in Art Objects In Steel By Tula Craftsmen, Leningrad, 1974, page 14.

Length 2 1/16 in. (5,3 cm)

The lid is etched with an Allegory of Fortune – winged and bare breasted female holding a crown, and four symbols of playing cards at the corners.

The reverse side of the lid is decorated with a double headed eagle seated on a military drum placed on top of a cannon. The eagle is holding a laurel wreath. All decorations of the reverse are highly polished.

The bottom of the box is etched with a pair of butterflies surrounded by stylized flowers.. Butterflies were frequently used to decorate bottoms of small boxes in the late 18th century.

The sides are decorated with floral garlands and neo-classical columns.