FABERGE Era Imperial Russian OVCHINNIKOV 84 Silver Cigarette Pill Snuff Case Box

  

For your consideration is a rare and important antique P. OVCHINNIKOV Imperial Russian 88 Silver Cigarette Vesta Case Pill Snuff Box, in fine originalcondition.

No dents, surface scratches only, tight hinge, and closes perfectly. Russian Empire design with Art Deco influence / motifs. Solid 56 gold thumbpiece, gemset with a single natural blue sapphire cabochon.

Fully hallmarked for Russian Imperial Silver and workmaster/ silversmith maker's mark initials NO for PAVEL OVCHINNIKOV. Measures 100mm (W) x 80mm (L) x 18mm (H). Weight is 177.87 grams. Born into a family of a serfs, Ovchinnikov grew up in the village of Otradnoe in the province of Moscow. Sent by Prince Dmitry Volkonsky to study in Moscow in 1842, Ovchinnikov's reputation for producing fine, high quality works rapidly grew and in 1851 he opened his own workshop. Here he employed almost a thousand workers, including many apprentices who flocked to Moscow to learn from the master jeweller. Ovchinnikov precious works were popular among European royalty, and he was comissioned by Tsar Alexander III of Russia and King Victor Emmanuel II of Italy among others. Ovchinnikov died in Moscow in 1888, where his work was continued by his sons. Was one of the most famous Russian silversmiths of his time and an exceptional businessman.

He was born in Moscow province in 1830, from a family of modest origins: his father was a serf. Nevertheless Pavel was sent to study in Moscow by Prince Dimitri Volkonski, where he was apprenticed in a jewellery shop.

In 1850 he gained his freedom and three years later he founded his own workshop. In his factory he employed more than a hundred men, and in 1865 he was appointed Court supplier to the future Tzar Alexander III. His works were exhibited at the Pan-Russian manufacturing exhibition in 1865 where he won the gold medal and at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1867. Few years later he was appointed court supplier by the king of Italy Vittorio Emanuele II and the king of Denmark Christian IX.

In 1873 Ovchinnikov opened a branch in St. Petersburg and by 1881 over three hundred people were working for the firm.

Understanding the importance of education, he founded a professional school at his factory for training artists and craftsmen in silverware and jewellery. Pavel died in 1888 and his sons Mikhail, Alexander, Pavel and Nikolai took over the company until 1917, when the firm ceased trading due to the outbreak of the Russian Revolution.

Ovchinnikov is particularly famous for his fine enamel works: he developed different processing techniques (cloisonné, champleé and on watermark) giving them prestige and popularity all over Europe. Nowadays his works are represented at the most important international museums and royal collections.