CHALIAPIN, Feodor Ivanovich (1873-1938) – AN ART DECO GOLD CIGARETTE CASE

Details

CHALIAPIN, Feodor Ivanovich (1873-1938) – AN ART DECO GOLD CIGARETTE CASE
Designed as a reeded rectangular shaped case with beveled edges and applied with Chaliapin's monogram in Cyrillic, "FISh", completed by a black onyx-set push piece, in 18K gold. With a series of obliterated assay marks, 5½ x 3¼ inches (14 x 8.30 cm), circa early 20th century

Provenance

Feodor Chaliapin – acquired by the Metropolitan Opera Guild "in London from a Russian private collector" (Memorabilia Committee minutes, 1965).

Lot Essay

One of great operatic basses, Chaliapin initially met with a chilly reception on his New York debut at the Met in 1907 – a failure which has been attributed to his naturalistic stage manner. However, he returned with great success in 1921, and sang at the Met for the following eight seasons.

More from The Metropolitan Opera Guild Collection

View All