Faberge Karelian Birch Cigarette Case with Ruby Thumbpiece

A Faberge cigarette case in Karelian birch mounted in silver-gilt with a cabochon ruby Thumbpiece, Workmaster Victor Aarne (1863-1934), St Petersburg hallmark for 1899-1908, Faberge cigarette cases are among the most attractive of the objects produced by the firm and were functional items intended for everyday use. The creative use of otherwise simple materials was one of the defining qualities of Faberge's work. This example is predominantly of Karelian birch (mounted in silver gilt), a wood with a distinctive pattern which was prized as a veneer for fine furniture and in small objects such as this. One of the last of the famous Imperial eggs, made in 1917 for Tsar Nicholas II, was also fashioned from Karelian birch, suggesting the esteem in which this wood was held by Faberge and his staff, dimensions, length 9.6 cm, width 6.6 cm, height 2.1 cm