A Nicholas II Russian 84 Zolotnik (875 standard) silver cigarette case, Moscow 1908-18 by I.P Klebnikov & Sons (active 1888 – 1918)

Of rectangular form with rounded corners the front with embossed Art Nouveau decoration of flowers and leaves amongst stylised foliage and scrolls forming a vacant circular cartouche. The reverse with applied unmarked gold initials HN in foliate cursive script. Push button release of a collet set cabochon cut garnet. Gilt interior, marked to each side with maker’s stamp and kokoshnik used 1908-1926, also additionally struck with later Polish import (lombard) marks used 1963-86.

Length – 11 cm / 4.3 inches

Weight – 146 grams / 4.69 ozt

The design for this case is listed as number 355 in the Klebnikov sales catalogue at a cost of 30 руб (Rubels).

Ivan Petrovich Khlebnikov (1819-81) worked in Saint Petersburg until 1867, founding a jewellery firm in Moscow in 1869/7. Supplier of the Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaievich from 1872, and Vladirmir Alexandrovich from 1877 and the imperial court from 1881. After Ivan’s death the business was taken over by his son’s Mikhail, Alexei, Nickolai and Vladimir. In 1882 they had 200 workers with an annual turnover of 300,000 roubles, located at Shvivaya Gorka, Moscow. Retailing from Kuznetsky Most and Ilyinka, Novgorodskoye. In 1918 the firm ceased trading and was nationalised.

Серебряный портсигар, периода Николая II-гo, 84-ой пробы серебра, Москва, 1908-18 г., Фирма И.П. Хлебников, Сыновья и Ко (работалu c 1888 г. до 1918 г.)