Silver cigarette case with gilding, cloisonné and painted enamel, Ivan Andreyev, Moscow, 1887

A rare silver cigarette case made of gilded silver, made in a rectangular shape with rounded corners. The lid of the product is decorated with painted enamel en plein, depicting a peasant girl with a sickle against the background of a golden wheat field. The plot reflects the Russian pastoral theme of the 19th century, distinguished by attention to detail and the color of folk life. The enamel composition is placed in an oval frame decorated with ornaments of intertwining curls and floral motifs. This ornament is made using the cloisonné enamel technique using bright tones on a gilded background. The base of the product is decorated with a similar ornament with a central cartouche intended for a monogram or a dedicatory inscription. The cigarette case is a striking example of decorative and applied art of the late 19th century in the style of Russian historicism, combining traditional elements with the finest jewelry work. Dimensions and weight: Length: 11.3 cm, width 7 cm. Total weight: 246 grams. Hallmarks: Latin letters JFA in a rectangular shield, indicating the master Ivan Andreev. Moscow assay mark of the letter AP above the date 1887 (an unknown assay master who worked in Moscow in the period 1888-1894). The numbers 84 Silver hallmark, city hallmark of Moscow with the image of St. George the Victorious on horseback in a rectangular shield with beveled corners. Provenance: Christie’s London, 9 June 2009, lot 150.

Historical background: Ivan Fyodorovich Andreyev was a renowned Moscow silversmith and goldsmith. His workshop operated from 1883 until the early 20th century. In 1896, it was located on Bolshaya Tatarskaya Street in Grishin’s house, and in 1900, it moved to Klimentovsky Lane, Smirnov’s house. Andreyev specialized in the production of tableware, buttons and luxury items that were in demand in Russia and exported to the United States via Tiffany & Co. The master’s items are part of the collection of the State Historical Museum in Moscow.