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Lot Essay
The Imperial Russian Court was renowned for presenting lavish gifts to Russian and foreign dignitaries, a tradition that became increasingly prominent during the reign of Emperor Alexander III (1881-1894). Presentation snuff-boxes were typically awarded to Russians in state service, however they were also awarded to foreign dignitaries as an act of diplomacy or as a means of commemorating special occasions connected to the imperial family. These snuff boxes were primarily made by the court suppliers Hahn, Fabergé, Bolin and Koechli (U. Tillander-Godenhielm, The Russian Imperial Award System 1894-1917, Helsinki, 2005, p. 179).
Based on Dr Valentin Skurlov’s research, only two snuff-boxes with the cypher of Emperor Alexander III were purchased from Friedrich Koechli by the Imperial Cabinet. The price paid for these two boxes differs by over 1,000 roubles. The opulent design of the present snuff-box suggests that it is the one first presented to Nikolay Skvortsov (1827-1895), Chief Intendant of the Ministry of War, on 27 July 1891. This snuff-box was then bought back by the Cabinet for 1,970 roubles on 4 September 1891. On 7 December 1891 the same box was presented to Kazim Bey, the personal secretary of the Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II.
A related gold presentation box with the diamond cypher of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna and similarly reeded base was purchased by the Imperial Cabinet from Koechli for 1,890 roubles on 23 March 1895 and subsequently presented to the Hessen Master of the Horse, Baron Redezel on 18 January 1911. This example was sold Christie’s, New York, 16 April 1999, lot 56.
We are grateful to Dr Valentin Skurlov for his assistance with the research of the present lot.
Based on Dr Valentin Skurlov’s research, only two snuff-boxes with the cypher of Emperor Alexander III were purchased from Friedrich Koechli by the Imperial Cabinet. The price paid for these two boxes differs by over 1,000 roubles. The opulent design of the present snuff-box suggests that it is the one first presented to Nikolay Skvortsov (1827-1895), Chief Intendant of the Ministry of War, on 27 July 1891. This snuff-box was then bought back by the Cabinet for 1,970 roubles on 4 September 1891. On 7 December 1891 the same box was presented to Kazim Bey, the personal secretary of the Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II.
A related gold presentation box with the diamond cypher of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna and similarly reeded base was purchased by the Imperial Cabinet from Koechli for 1,890 roubles on 23 March 1895 and subsequently presented to the Hessen Master of the Horse, Baron Redezel on 18 January 1911. This example was sold Christie’s, New York, 16 April 1999, lot 56.
We are grateful to Dr Valentin Skurlov for his assistance with the research of the present lot.