ANTIQUE 19thC RUSSIAN SOLID SILVER & ENAMEL CIGARETTE CASE, KHLEBNIKOV c.1874
19th Century Imperial Russian silver & enamel cigar case, of rounded rectangular form, the surface enamelled in opaque blue and white diaper, the lid engraved with a vacant cartooche within scalloped foliate borders, the cigarette case is richly parcel gilded.
Hallmarked Russian silver 88 (915), Moscow, year 1899-1908, Maker's mark in Cyrillic for Ivan Khlebnikov.
Reference Number: B6232
19th Century Imperial Russian silver & enamel cigar case, of rounded rectangular form, the surface enamelled in opaque blue and white diaper, the lid engraved with a vacant cartooche within scalloped foliate borders, the cigarette case is richly parcel gilded.
Hallmarked Russian silver 88 (915), Moscow, year 1899-1908, Maker's mark in Cyrillic for Ivan Khlebnikov.
Reference Number: B6232
19th Century Imperial Russian silver & enamel cigar case, of rounded rectangular form, the surface enamelled in opaque blue and white diaper, the lid engraved with a vacant cartooche within scalloped foliate borders, the cigarette case is richly parcel gilded.
Hallmarked Russian silver 88 (915), Moscow, year 1899-1908, Maker's mark in Cyrillic for Ivan Khlebnikov.
Reference Number: B6232
DESCRIPTION
Antique 19th Century Imperial Russian large solid silver & enamel cigar case, of rounded rectangular form, the surface enamelled in opaque blue and white diaper, the lid engraved with a vacant cartooche within scalloped foliate borders, the cigarette case is richly parcel gilded. Both sides of the case are Hallmarked Russian silver 88 (915 standard), Moscow, year 1899-1908, Maker's mark in Cyrillic for Ivan Khlebnikov.
Ivan Khlebnikov (in Russian: Иван Хлебников)was born in St. Petersburg, son of a diamond and jewellery merchant. By 1865 he had his own jewellery firm, where he employed his sons Mikhail, Alexei and Nikolai.
In 1871 Ivan opened a factory in Moscow, employing around 200 artisans. Within the premises of his factory he also opened a school of design and sculpture for thirty-five students. Khlebnikov received several commissions from the Imperial family and in 1872 he was appointed official purveyor of Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaevich.
His artworks were displayed in several International Exhibitions, such as the one in Vienna in 1873 where he won two medals. The firm’s popularity grew and Khlebnikov was appointed a royal warrant by the sovereigns of Denmark, Netherlands, Serbia and Montenegro. In 1879 he was awarded the title of official supplier to the Imperial court of Russia. At Ivan’s death in 1881, his sons took over the business, employed more craftsmen and expanded the company buying Sazikov factories and shops.
The company was closed and nationalised in 1918, with the outbreak of the Russian Revolution.
Khlebnikov artworks were acclaimed for their fine decorative enamel work and the traditional Russian style. The company worked in all kinds of enamel, especially plique-à-jour and cloisonné, and reinterpreted the traditional Russian folk art through original and unique designs, a colorful palette and great mastery of execution.
CONDITION
In Excellent Condition - no damage, just general wear.
SIZE
Length: 13cm
Width: 7.5 x 2.5cm
Weight: 222g