Egor Cheryatov gem-set cigarette case with sirin for the firm of Feodor Lorié, Moscow, 1899-1908

Gold, enamel, diamonds, sapphires, rubies

3 7/8 x 3 1/8 cm (9.8 x 8 cm)

Inv. no. ab_0231

Exhibited: 

Moscow, Gosudarstvennyi istoriko-kulʹturnyi muzei-zapovednik "Moskovskii Kremlʹ", “Karl Faberzhe i Fedor Riukert. Shedevry russkoi emali,” 9 October 2020 – 14 February 2021, no. 424.

Publications:

Muntyan, T.N. Karl Faberzhe i Fedor Riukert. Shedevry russkoi emali. Moscow: Gosudarstvennyi istoriko-kulʹturnyi muzei-zapovednik "Moskovskii Kremlʹ", 2020. Cat. no. 424, p. 347.

The hinged lid of this gold cigarette case is set with an enamel plaque painted en plein with the image of a sirin, a mythological creature with a woman’s head and breast, but with the otherwise feathered body and wings of a bird. Use of the mythological creature in Russian gold and enamel work dates back at least to the eleventh century. The firm of Feodor Lorié, and his chief silversmith-enameler Egor Cheryatov, were among the most talented artisans working in the Russian Art Nouveau.