A GEM-SET GOLD IMPERIAL PRESENTATION CIGARETTE CASE
A GEM-SET GOLD IMPERIAL PRESENTATION CIGARETTE CASE
A GEM-SET GOLD IMPERIAL PRESENTATION CIGARETTE CASE
2 More
These lots have been imported from outside the EU … Read more PROPERTY OF A LADY
A GEM-SET GOLD IMPERIAL PRESENTATION CIGARETTE CASE

MARKED K. HAHN, WITH THE WORKMASTER'S MARK OF ALEXANDER TREIDEN, ST PETERSBURG, CIRCA 1891

Details
A GEM-SET GOLD IMPERIAL PRESENTATION CIGARETTE CASE
MARKED K. HAHN, WITH THE WORKMASTER'S MARK OF ALEXANDER TREIDEN, ST PETERSBURG, CIRCA 1891
Rectangular with rounded corners, the hinged cover cast and chased with the image of cruiser Pamiat Azova [The Memory of Azov], the reverse engraved with a map showing the voyage of Tsesarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich between 1890 and 1891, and applied with a silver crowned double-headed eagle, the inside cover inscribed in Russian '[To] My Dear Niki 1891.', with a cabochon sapphire thumb-piece, integral vesta compartment with match strike, with blue tinder cord, marked on rim
4 in. (10.2 cm.) wide
Provenance
By repute, presented by Empress Maria Feodorovna to her son Tsesarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich (future Emperor Nicholas II) on the occasion of his voyage on the cruiser Pamiat Azova in 1890-1891.
Special notice
These lots have been imported from outside the EU for sale using a Temporary Import regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the Hammer price. VAT is also payable (at 20%) on the buyer’s Premium on a VAT inclusive basis. When a buyer of such a lot has registered an EU address but wishes to export the lot or complete the import into another EU country, he must advise Christie's immediately after the auction.

Brought to you by

Marina Nekliudova
Marina Nekliudova

Lot Essay

On 7 November 1890, Tsesarevich Nicholas, later Emperor Nicholas II, set sail on the Pamiat Azova [The Memory of Azov] from Trieste, Greece, on his journey to Vladivostok for the grand opening ceremony of the Trans-Siberian Railway. The present cigarette case was a gift to Tsesarevich Nicholas most likely from his mother, Maria Feodorovna, to commemorate the substantial journey, which covered over 22,000 kilometres by sea, porting in Egypt, India, China and Japan before its final stop in the far east of Russia. The voyage was documented by Esper Ukhtomski, who accompanied Tsesarevich Nicholas, in his book Puteshestvie na Vostok Ego Imperatorskogo Vysochestva Gosudarya Naslednika Tsesarevicha (1890-1891) [Journey to the East of His Imperial Highness Tsesarevich (1890-1891)].
It is interesting to note that Carl Fabergé's Imperial Easter Egg of 1891 was also dedicated to Pamiat Azova. The surprise contained within the egg was a miniature replica of the cruiser. Also, a comparable cigarette case by Hahn, decorated with the image of corvette Rinda was presented to Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich also in 1891, and was sold at Christie's, London, on 29 November 2010, lot 252.

More from Russian Art

View All
View All