Snuffboxes and Сigarette Сases

Сigarette case

    Сigarette case

    Russia, Moscow

    1879

    Maria Adler enterprise for gold and silverware production

    Silver; champlevé enamel, painted enamel, carving

    10.0 х 7.5 х 2.2 cm

    Marks: "ADLER"; "А.К /1879"; "88"; Moscow coat of arms; Moscow city mark with alloy number "88"

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    Silver rectangular cigarette case, gilded inside, with rounded sides, with two compartments for cigarettes (large) and matches (small, on the front side), with two hinged lids, one - with a special plate for ignition. The top lid smooth surface is decorated with Russian style enamel paintings - an image of a peasant girl in a festive dress and three-part mythological composition on the theme of Basilisk. The bottom surface is decorated with stylized architectural motifs in the form of a peasant's cottage. An aperture with a wick is on the cigarette case rear side.

    Basilisk - a mythical zoomorphic creature: snake-cock. According to popular beliefs, Basilisk appears from a cock's egg, is the keeper of treasures, a kind of house spirit. According to the legend, the cock can lay an egg once in a hundred years. Moreover, in case a girl is carrying this egg under her arm for six weeks, Basilisk that hatches out from it - obeys this girl. It brings her wealth and forecasts her fate. The symbolic image of Basilisk is thematically linked with the central image of a young married woman, or, most likely, a girl who gas just consented to a wedding, as evidenced by her festive dress, the main element of which is a woman's homespun woollen skirt, that was usually worn over a white linen one.

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    Инв.435/ДПИ