RUSSIAN IMPERIAL CLOISONNE & GILT SILVER CIGAR CASE, 19th C.
Eastern Europe, Russia, Imperial Period, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE.
A fabulous gilt silver cigar case with a cloisonne exterior. The case is a long hollow cylindrical shape, ideal for holding a single cigar.
The top third comes apart from the rest of the container, and a rounded piece of purple glass is inlaid at the top.
The exteriors of the case is covered in lovely enamel cloisonne in hues of white, blue, red, yellow, pink, purple, green and beige.
Property from the Collection of Mr. James Farmer, Maryland, USA.
CONDITION: Used condition. The item is described to the best of our knowledge. Please refer to pictures and email with any questions.
SIZE: 7.5 x 1 inches (19 x 2.5 cm).
ESTIMATE PRICE: $3,000 - $4,000.
HISTORY of SALES: A few years ago Russian silver cigar cases were sold on Live Auctioneer and Christie's for $7,000 and $15,000 - please see the screenshots.
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WIKIPEDIA: A silversmith is a metalworker who crafts objects from silver. The terms silversmith and goldsmith are not exactly synonyms as the techniques, training, history, and guilds are or were largely the same but the end product may vary greatly as may the scale of objects created. In the ancient Near East the value of silver to gold being less, allowed a silversmith to produce objects and store these as stock. Ogden states that according to an edict written by Diocletian in 301 A.D., a silversmith was able to charge 75, 100, 150, 200, 250, or 300 denarii for material produce (per Roman pound). At that time, guilds of silversmiths formed to arbitrate disputes, protect its members' welfare and educate the public of the trade. Silversmiths in medieval Europe and England formed guilds and transmitted their tools and techniques to new generations via the apprentice tradition. Silver working guilds often maintained consistency and upheld standards at the expense of innovation. Beginning in the 17th century, artisans emigrated to America and experienced fewer restrictions. As a result, silver working was one of the trades that helped to inaugurate the Technological and industrial history of the United States Silver-working shift to industrialization in America.