An exquisite work of art in the form of a rare Fabergé cigarette case, has been gifted to The Wildlife Trusts as part of a legacy donation.
The case, created in Russia in 1915, will be sold by auction at Hansons Auctioneers on Thursday 27th March as part of a fine art sale and all proceeds will go towards nature recovery projects.
The case was created by Feodor Rückert, one of the renowned craftsmen of the House of Fabergé. His intricate work features enamel flower patterns.
(c) Hansons Auctioneers
(c) Hansons Auctioneers
However, in stark contrast to the floral theme, the case also features an en plain image (directly painted onto the case) of a man on a rearing horse. This was directly inspired by a 1913 painting by Mikhail Ivanovich Avilov of one of Ivan the Terrible’s sons surrounded by his much-feared bodyguards, known as oprichniki.*
The cigarette case has an engraving in Russian Cyrillic text marking it as a commemorative gift from the Russian State, General Electricity Company. It also bears the Fabergé hallmark in Cyrillic.
According to Hansons Auctioneers the case, estimated to be valued at £30,000 – £50,000, is expected to generate great interest, given its rarity and historical significance.
Thirzah McSherry, director of development at The Wildlife Trusts, said:
“We’re deeply grateful to the donor who left us this beautiful gift. It'll be so exciting to see how much we can raise at auction.
“Gifts left to The Wildlife Trusts in wills – whether they are objects such as this one or financial donations – have helped us achieve many amazing things, from supporting species reintroduction to standing up for the natural world in the corridors of power.
“The generosity of our supporters helps to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy the wonders of the natural world.”
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said:
“We are thrilled to offer this extraordinary Fabergé cigarette case at auction, especially as it represents not only the exceptional artistry of the House of Fabergé but also a chance to support The Wildlife Trusts.
“This sale is a unique opportunity to own a piece of history and contribute to the preservation of our natural world. We hope that bidders will be inspired by the charity aspect of this sale and that it will help raise much-needed funds for wildlife conservation.”
(c) Hansons Auctioneers
Founded by Carl Fabergé in 1842, the House of Fabergé is synonymous with luxury, elegance, and meticulous craftsmanship. Known for its famous Imperial Easter Eggs, Fabergé's creations were commissioned by Russian Tsars and aristocrats, setting the standard for fine jewellery and decorative objects.
Under the patronage of Tsar Alexander III and Tsar Nicholas II, Fabergé became the official jeweller to the Russian Imperial family. His creations, celebrated for their exquisite detail and use of rare materials, remain highly sought after by collectors worldwide. Fabergé's legacy continues to thrive, and items from his workshop are among the most valuable and treasured works of art in the world.
*The Oprichniki
This corps of soldiers, established by Ivan the Terrible, served as bodyguards and police. The soldiers were used to implement the Czar’s oppressive policy of oprichina between 1565 and 1572 – a drive to strengthen his autocracy by defeating any likely contenders. The original painting which inspired the miniature en plain enamel on the cigarette case is, somewhat ironically, entitled Tsarevich Ivan Ivanovich on a walk. It shows men on rearing horses charging past grovelling citizens. See the original painting here: Soviet Art, USSR culture
A Rich Legacy of Fabergé at Hansons Auctioneers
Hansons Auctioneers has a distinguished history of handling exceptional Fabergé items, including the sale of two rare Fabergé Flowers in 2018, which fetched a remarkable £421,600. The flowers were discovered during a free valuation day and sold for far more than their estimated value, proving that hidden treasures can often be found in unexpected places. This sale of the Fabergé cigarette case continues Hansons’ tradition of offering exceptional Fabergé pieces, with proceeds going to an important charitable cause.
Join Us at the Auction
The Fabergé cigarette case will be a highlight of the Fine Art Sale at Hansons Auctioneers on Thursday March 27th. The auction will take place at the Hansons Auctioneers Derbyshire saleroom in Etwall and will be available for online bidding for those unable to attend in person.
Auction
Thursday 27th March 2025 | 9.30am | hansonslive.co.uk
Hansons Auctioneers Derbyshire Saleroom
Auction contact: service@hansonsauctioneers.co.uk
Bidding/catalogue platform: www.hansonslive.co.uk
Website: www.hansonsauctioneers.co.uk
The Wildlife Trusts are making the world wilder and helping to ensure that nature is part of everyone’s lives. We are a grassroots movement of 46 charities with more than 910,000 members and 39,000 volunteers. No matter where you are in Britain, there is a Wildlife Trust inspiring people and saving, protecting and standing up for the natural world. With the support of our members, we care for and restore over 2,600 special places for nature on land and run marine conservation projects and collect vital data on the state of our seas. Every Wildlife Trust works within its local community to inspire people to create a wilder future – from advising thousands of landowners on how to manage their land to benefit wildlife, to connecting hundreds of thousands of school children with nature every year. For more information visit www.wildlifetrusts.org
