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Russian Silver, Gold and Niello Topographical Snuff Box
- This silver, gold and niello inlaid topographical snuff box is a masterpiece of Russian silver
- The functional snuff box captured a bounty of essential information and data for its important owner
- It includes a detailed map and key of Russia's Vologda region, along with census information
- This box offered its tradesman the ability to hold crucial knowledge of the world around him in hand
- Get complete item description here
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More than an object of aesthetic splendor, this functional snuff box captured a bounty of essential information and data for its important owner. Its top displays an intricately inlaid map of Russia’s Vologda region,. . .
More than an object of aesthetic splendor, this functional snuff box captured a bounty of essential information and data for its important owner. Its top displays an intricately inlaid map of Russia’s Vologda region, with silver filigree outlining including Lake Kubenskoye, the Sukhona River, the Dvina River, the Vychegda River, and cities such as Vologda, Velsk, Totma, Ustyug, Nikolsk and Gryazovets. Certain regions are labeled by their primary trades and exports—stone, iron and paper are all accounted for. A key in the lower right captures the names of towns across the region, along with their distances, measured in the now-obsolete Russian unit of measurement called the Versta, allowing for precise calculations.
The underside of the box provides further intrigue, offering a census of “souls” of different classes of Russian society, including merchants, peasants, bondsmen and tradesmen. A total of 299,801 souls are meticulously counted for the owner’s knowledge.
Crafted in Russia in 1824, this box was far more than a decorative object for carrying snuff. It offered its tradesman the ability to hold crucial knowledge of the world around him in hand. This box ties its wealthy owner to the commerce and lives of the region's inhabitants.
A nearly identical snuff box resides in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Hallmarked “A Z S" in Cyrillic, Aleksander Schilin"
Circa 1824
5/8“ high x 3 3/8” wide x 2 1/8“ deep
| Period: | 19th Century |
| Origin: | Russia |
| Type: | Other |
| Depth: | 2.13 in. (5.4 cm) |
| Width: | 3.38 in. (8.57 cm) |
| Height: | 0.63 in. (1.59 cm) |
Buy With Confidence
For over a century, we've placed important art, rare jewels and exceptional objects with more than 14,000 collectors worldwide, and have been recognized by trusted publications including Robb Report, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and more.
On Approval
Examine select works in person before you commit
125% Guarantee
Full credit plus 5% annual appreciation for five years
Trusted Expertise
Over two centuries of combined experience across our specialists
