Cigarette Case

c.1885

Cigarette Case, c.1885. House of Fabergé (Russian, 1842–1918), Eric August Kollin (Russian, 1836–1901). Tan tree agate with ribbed gold mounts and interior gold cigarette restraints set with cabechon sapphire thumpiece; overall: 6.7 cm (2 5/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Howard F. Stirn 2009.23 This cigarette box displays one of the quintessential qualities of chief workmaster Erik Kollin’s craft—mounting superior vessels cut from agate with tasteful gold mounts. This casing is so delicate and finely made that the contents, held inside by a simple yet elegant bar, would almost be visible from the exterior. This particular box is made from a tan tree agate that is reminiscent of a patterned fish or tortoise. Created during Finnish-born Erik Kollin’s last year as Fabergé’s chief workmaster.