A Russian Imperial jewelled gold presentation cigarette case, by Fabergé workmaster Gabriel Nykänen (Niukkanen), St. Petersburg, post 1908,

14 carat gold, of rounded rectangular form, decorated throughout with bands of reeding, the hinged cover applied with a diamond-set crowned Imperial double headed eagle, with cabochon sapphire thumbpiece, the inside lid engraved in script:

‘Please accept this little remembrance fm. Maria 1913’

stamped mark for 56 zolotniks, maker’s mark ‘GN’ struck twice, contained in gilt heightened fitted case, the cover with gilt Imperial double headed eagle, silk stamped ‘A.Tillander St. Petersburg’, length 89mm.
£5,000-£7,000

According to documentation provided by auctioneers Geoff H. Gray Pty. Limited of Sydney, who sold the cigarette case in a Private Collection in 1978, it was presented by the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, Consort of Czar Alexander III, to the wife of Admiral N. C. Palmer RN, Captain of the Royal yacht Victoria & Albert from August 1909 - December 1913. He was appointed Naval Aide-Camp to King George V on 4 June 1913 and Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (V.C.O) on 13 October 1913.

Thence by family descent, until offered for sale in 1978.

The Empress Maria Feodorovna visited England every summer after 1907. Her sister, Queen Alexandra, Consort of King Edward VII, would similarly travel to Denmark each year for family reunions. British newspaper articles in August 1913 reference the Empress’s summer visit to England on the Royal yacht. It would have been usual practice for the Empress to distribute gifts in thanks for kindnesses and faithful service.


Tillanders, the Finnish jewellers situated in the heart of St Petersburg, were by the beginning of the 20th century, a thriving business and receiving a steady stream of orders from the Russian Imperial family, including the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna. Their records also refer to many presentation jewels and gifts made for the Romanov Tercentenary in 1913.


Gabriel Nykänen (Niukkanen)(1854-1921)
Born in central Finland, as a young man Nykänen left his home for St. Petersburg to pursue a career as a goldsmith, opening his own workshop in 1889, and taking premises at No. 39 Kazanskaya Street. Nykänen is thought to have worked initially as a sub-contractor to several manufacturing and retail jewellers, whilst also acting as a supplier and workmaster to Fabergé. He is best known for his production of fine gold and silver cigarette cases, many of which were made as Imperial presentation pieces; however they seldom bear the Fabergé hallmark.

Kenneth Snowman records that Gabriel Nykänen was appointed head of Fabergé’s Odessa workshop, however recent research suggests that he worked in St. Petersburg without interruption until 1917. His nephew, the goldsmith Frans Botolf Nykänen is known to have worked in Odessa, from 1902.




Literature:
Ulla Tillander-Godenheilm, Fabergé and his masters and artisans, pub. Unicorn, 2018.
David Schimmelpenninck van der Oye and Marie Betteley, Beyond Fabergé, Imperial Russian Jewelry, pub. Schiffer, 2020.