A rectangular, birch cigarette table box used for housing and dispensing cigarettes, originating from Imperial Russia. Crafted from birch tree wood, the box has a singular push-button on the top used to operate the dispensing mechanism. When pressed the central grooved slot would descend into the interior of the box to receive a cigarette from the inner storage and return to the top once the button was released. The front of the box flourishes a faded silver medallion (Russian silver hallmark: 88) depicting the Imperial Russian Coat of Arms (1882-1917), a black two-headed eagle crowned with two imperial crowns, over which the same third crown, enlarged, with two flying ends of the ribbon of the Order of Saint Andrew. The Eagle holds a golden scepter and golden globus cruciger (orb and cross). On the chest of the eagle is an escutcheon with the arms of Moscow, depicting Saint George, slaying the dragon. The Cyrillic writing at the top of the medallion is the motto of Imperial Russia: ? ???? ???! ("God is with us!")

Imperial Russia - late 19th - early 20th century.

H: 4 3/4 in., (12.1 cm)