A digital archive showcasing the extensive collection of jewellery and adornment images shared on the former Ethnic Jewels Ning site over the years. These images have significantly enriched discussions on cultural adornment and its global dispersion.

Russian enamel cigarette case

An enamelled cigarette case (many of these were made) from Russia, c. 1880. Russian enamel ware used for jewelllery or jewellery-like objects (such as this ) is ethnically interesting by itself, but also for the influence it had on enamelling outside Russia, so well worthwhile paying attention to - apart from its inherent appeal.
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Comments

  • I don't smoke, but this is a beautiful object.  I remember some lovely old Syrian cigarette cases and large table-top lighters that my grandfather had.  They were covered in mother-of-pearl mosaic inlay much like the old Syrian furniture.  This photo made me think of those....wish I knew what happened to my grandfather's pieces!

  • Edith, I too don't smoke, and indeed my revulsion by now goes so far that I am not even particularly keen to collect cigarette cases (though that is perhaps a bit silly, as an emotional reaction). But we agree on the merit of these pieces, and someone who might collect such cases (I am sure there are people who do!) as yet have quite a good choice at their disposal, for many of these were made and several are for sale, including a times superb ones. Personally I'd prefer to see more Russian pieces that are more pleasing to me as actual jewellery rather than being associated with cigarettes ... But I look at their beauty with pleasure even so.

  • Very nice case, also for non-smokers!!!! there is lots of thing one could put inisde....... instead of cigarettes.

  • Absolutely - and even at the time it could also have been used for e.g. visiting cards.

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