ANTIQUE 20thC RUSSIAN SILVER GILT, ENAMEL & SAPPHIRE CIGARETTE CASE c.1910

DESCRIPTION

Antique early-20th Century Imperial Russian silver-gilt & guilloche enamel cigarette case, rectangular form with rounded corners, body enameled in translucent opalescent white over a engine-turned ground, the gold thumb piece mounted with finely set sapphire cabochon.

Hallmarked Russian silver 88 (916 standard), St-Petersburg, year 1908-1917, Maker AA (Andrei Adler) 

Andrei Karlowitsch Adler was a prominent Russian jeweler, silver- and goldsmith. He ran a workshop of his own, called “Adler & Co.”, that specialised in producing orders, medals and various objects of vertu for the upper classes and the wealthy clientele of Imperial Russia. Adler was also one of the most skilled Faberge workmasters and for his remarkable talent was honoured with the title of Purveyor to the Russian Imperial Court.

Along with such prominent Faberge workmasters as Michael Perkhin, Henrik Wigström, Oskar Woldemar Pihl and August Wilhelm Holmström, Andrei Adler crafted stunning objects of vertu, renowned Easter eggs, exquisite silverware and outlandish household items. It is his remarkable enamels and fine objects of vertu that have truly become Adler’s calling card.

As a Faberge workmaster, Adler produced spectacular enamel pieces, as well as exquisite items of silver and gold, such as cigarette cases, pencils, desk accessories and cutlery. Endlessly talented, he was one of the few manufacturers, who crafted cigarette cases specially for ladies. Nowadays these rare pieces are in abnormally high demand. They are kept in private collections and can barely be found at auctions. To get such a fine piece is great luck.

CONDITION

In Great Condition - No Damage.

SIZE

Length: 9cm
Width: 5cm
Weight: 140g