Empress Alexandra Feodorovna World War I presentation tobacco case by FABERGE.

A historically important piece of Russian Imperial memorabilia.

Die-stamped brass case is decorated with czarist double headed eagle and inscription in Russian – WAR 1914 * 1915 K. FABERGE.

What makes this case very special is the engraving on the back – crowned cipher of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna (consort of Czar 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 War cases, have Imperial engravings. The majority are plain.

Cigarette cases like this, are usually heavily worn due to relatively soft material they are made of – brass and copper.

This particular case is in excellent condition for the type.

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.

Cipher of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna – interlaced ‘ A ‘ and stylized ‘ Ф ‘ beneath Imperial crown

1916

Tsarskoe Selo