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Finds and Interests
Plenty of well-known items come up at auction—clothing that belonged to a celebrity, props used in films, objects tied to famous locations. Every so often, though, a piece surfaces that tells a richer story. An item that came up recently from one of the world’s most celebrated makers is a niche collectible by nature, given how significantly tobacco use has declined, but it drew serious collector interest and equally serious bids. Vintage lighters and cigarette cases are rarely part of daily life anymore, yet they continue to make impressive showings at auction.
Fabergé is renowned the world over for its value and intricate craftsmanship. In a recent sale, Fabergé pieces accounted for four of the top five lots—proof that while smoking may be on the decline, collectors still clamor for vintage pieces from an era when the cigarette case was a fixture of elegant life.
V.N.Collectible, a WorthPoint Industry Partner, offered forty-six items of interest to the Russian collectibles market. The top lots were dominated by Fabergé, with the leading pieces totaling $110,000—a solid thirty-five percent of the sale’s $312,608.38 total.
The standout lot was an enamel-and-gold cigarette case bearing all the hallmarks of a genuine Fabergé original. It sold for $39,835—a price that reflects both the quality of the object and the exceptional story behind it. The piece carries the “AH” work master’s mark of the Holmström workshop, one of Fabergé’s most distinguished. August Holmström served as chief jeweler at Fabergé from 1857 until his death in 1903, after which his son Albert continued the workshop under the same mark. Given that the first recorded purchase of this piece dates to 1909, the work would be attributable to Albert Holmström. The case also bears an inscription on the inside that reads, “Edith Kekewich, Peamore, Nr. Exeter.”
The provenance is exceptionally well documented, which only adds to the value. The piece is believed to have passed through a royal family collection at some point in its history, which likely contributed to the significant increase from its last recorded sale—approximately $10,000 at Sotheby’s London in 2020. Research traces the first known owner to the Countess of Torby, who purchased it at the London Fabergé store in 1909 for £18 and 15 shillings.
The case is adorned with rose-cut diamonds and gold and remains in remarkable condition. A final price of $39,835 clearly demonstrates that Fabergé remains a sound choice for collectibles that hold and grow in value—particularly when the provenance is this complete.