Trompe l'oeil Silver cigar boxes of Russia and Germany

[99call]

Always loved these, As someone who works with metal myself, I love the skill and attention to detail thats on show here, especially the painted enamelling. 

The fabulous Dunhill box is by Bulgari’s leading Florentine artisan silversmith Oscar Rulli, but my favourite is the Sol vesta, just awesome!!

 

[ayepatz]

Are they matchboxes? Very cool.

[99call]

1 minute ago, ayepatz said:

Are they matchboxes? Very cool.

The Russian and Dunhill boxes are bigger and for cigars (sometimes with cedar lining), whereas the smaller German ones are vesta, or match boxes to you and I. With gouged striking lines on the side

The bellied Henry Clay one is currently on Ebay for closing in on £500. But me no likey, if it was the 'Sol' one I'd be struggling not to jump in, as its unbelievable work

[nKostyan]

Looks like an old school replica. If we believe the inscription, this box for cigarettes without a filter, as example:

 

 

 

[99call]

15 minutes ago, nKostyan said:

Looks like an old school replica. If we believe the inscription, this box for cigarettes without a filter, as example:

Many thanks for the information, I love having our resident Russian expert on hand 

[Derboesekoenig]

That is really impressive. I have not seen anything like this. When were these made?

My Russian is a little rough, but it says 100 sticks something something....1 ruble?

And I recognize "tavarish"-something. Or the German equivalent would be comrade. Interesting

[nKostyan]

That is really impressive. I have not seen anything like this. When were these made?

My Russian is a little rough, but it says 100 sticks something something....1 ruble?

And I recognize "tavarish"-something. Or the German equivalent would be comrade. Interesting

This is a pre-revolutionary box, when the ruble was provided with gold. For example the adult cow fed on meat at the market cost 3 rubles. The rules of the Russian language also changed after the revolution.

[Piligrim]

the sign in Russian at this picture means Imported tobacco in old Russian

[99call]

On 1/1/2019 at 8:11 AM, Piligrim said:

the sign in Russian at this picture means Imported tobacco in old Russian

Very interesting, as I don't think I've ever seen any old style (i.e. white trim, flor fina stamp) boxes with Russian import labels on them

[99call]

love this little curing barn cigar box

 

[dangolf18]

Nice. I have a nice H Upmann Russian one from my grandmother. Engraved on the inside and from 1901.

[nKostyan]

On 6/18/2023 at 2:39 PM, dangolf18 said:

Nice. I have a nice H Upmann Russian one from my grandmother. Engraved on the inside and from 1901.

The inscription reads: “In memory of the day of the benefit of the director A.N.Herman from the choir. Penza city”

[99call]

Interesting addition here from the silversmiths of Repossi in Monaco. 

Whereas the Upmann Dunhill box done by Bvlgari appears to have been initially photo etched, and then hand engraved. (as it's incredibly naturalistic).  This Davidoff silver box looks to have been simply done by eye.