Lot 683: GRAND DUKE MICHAEL MIKHAILOVICH: A FABERGÉ GOLD CIGARETTE CASE, WORKMASTER AUGUST HOLMSTRÖM, ST PETERSBURG, CIRCA 1891

GRAND DUKE MICHAEL MIKHAILOVICH: A FABERGÉ GOLD CIGARETTE CASE, WORKMASTER AUGUST HOLMSTRÖM, ST PETERSBURG, CIRCA 1891 the surface cast with diagonal reeding, cabochon sapphire thumbpiece, the end with vesta compartment, yellow tinder cord, the interior of the lid inscribed: 'En souvenir de Michel/ Cannes/ 1891' and later 'Überreicht (presented) 25/12 1922 v. W Schwanenfeld Schwerin', struck with workmaster's initials, 56 standard width: 9.5cm, 3 3/4 in.

Given by HIH Grand Duke Michael Mikhailovich (1861-1929) to Wilhelm von Schwanenfeld, Count Schwerin(1856-c.1930), 1891, by whom given to HIRM German Emperor Wilhelm II, Christmas, 1922, by whom given to his grandson, HIRH Prince Wilhelm of Prussia (1906-1940)

Thence by descent

The Grand Duke gave the cigarette case in the same year of his marriage, to Countess de Torby, in San Remo on 26 February 1891. The Count in turn gave it to the Kaiser shortly after the Kaiser's second marriage, to Hermine Reuss, at Doorn on 9 November 1922. The Count was the father of the famous German resistance fighter, Ulrich-Wilhelm Graf Schwerin von Schwanenfeld (1902-1944), who participated in the failed attempt on Hitler's life on 20 July 1944 and was hanged.