Silver Cigarette Case And Matchbox With Cloisonne Enamel. Moscow

A refined silver cigarette case and matchbox, produced at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries in the Moscow workshop of Vladimir Akimov. Lavishly decorated with delicate cloisonne enamel over a gilt ground, the items feature finely painted floral garlands and scrolling acanthus in soft pastel hues. The central cartouches present maritime scenes with sailing ships, adding a romantic accent and underlining the aristocratic taste of the owner. A beaded border of white enamel enhances the volume and refinement of the composition. Housed in the original wooden case with red velvet lining. Hallmarks:Moscow district assay office hallmark of the period 1899-1908, depicting a female head in kokoshnik facing left, in an oval reserve, with the initials of the assay master Ivan Sergeyevich Lebedkin and the number 84 indicating silver fineness. Makers mark VA in a rectangular reserve, attributed to silversmith Vladimir Nikitich Akimov. Dimensions:Cigarette case: 9 x 7.5 x 1.5 cm; Matchbox: 6 x 4 x 2 cm Weight:Total gross weight: 259 g (cigarette case - 190 g; matchbox - 69 g) Condition:Good collectible condition. Enamel and gilding well-preserved, no significant losses. Original case with minor age-appropriate signs of use.Provenance:Private collection. Sale: Sotheby's Olympia, Russian Pictures, Works of Art and Icons, 20 May 2005, Lot 28.

At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, refined objets dart intended for daily use by the aristocracy and wealthy bourgeoisie became widely popular in the Russian Empire. Among them, silver cigarette cases and matchboxes decorated with cloisonne enamel held a prominent place. Revived and perfected by Moscow artisans, the technique became a hallmark of elite Russian craftsmanship. Silversmith Vladimir Akimov was one of the leading representatives of the Moscow enamel school. As early as 1860, his workshop employed 10 journeymen and 5 apprentices, indicating both the scale and the high demand for his production. The maritime scenes adorning the central cartouches reference travel, exploration, and the romantic imagery so prized at the time. The pastel color palette, enhanced by translucent gilding, creates a shimmering and animated surface effect. Objects of this type, executed in cloisonne, were frequently intended as gifts, displayed in ceremonial interiors, and exhibited at international expositions.