Cigarette case "War of 1914-1915"
Cigarette case "War of 1914-1915"
Russia, Moscow
1915
Copper; presswork, gilding
9.2 х 5.7 х 1.7 сm
Copper rectangular cigarette case, parcel-gilt, with rounded corners and sides, comprised of two equal halves, connected by a hinge. The top lid is decorated with a relief image of a double-headed eagle - the state emblem of the Russian Empire, beneath it: "WAR 1914*1915" in round medallion.
The cigarette case was manufectured by Faberge firm during the period of the First World War (1914-1918). The decrease of the demand for jewelery in these years prompted the owner of the firm to adapt the workshops to the wartime needs. C. Faberge firm started to produce the items for the front. Moscow factory was reequipped into a mechanical plant. It produced purely functional items from inexpensive and practical materials - brass, copper, and spelter. They were field utensils: mugs, pots, pans, samovars, kettles, kerosene stoves, basins, washstands. The honorary items - ashtrays, glass holders, copper cigarette cases with the Russian coat of arms and the memorable inscription "War of 1914" and "War of 1914-1915" were created as well. Such objects Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna presented to soldiers, medical nurses, officers and members of their families.
Инв.189/ДПИ