Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich: A Russian Imperial Faberg Silver Cigarette Case Fabergé, Workmaster August Hollming, St. Petersburg, circa 1913, and with scratched inventory numbers 17925 and 22511 0-1/2 x 3 x 2-3/4 inches (1.3 x 7.6 x 7.0 cm) 102 grams PROVENANCE: Purchased by Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich (1878-1918) from Fabergé's London branch on December 29, 1913 for £7 (as inventory number 17925); Returned on January 12, 1914; Purchased by Nicholas Fabergé from Fabergé's London branch on June 5, 1914 for £4, 15 shillings (as inventory number 22511); Sold Christie's New York, Russian Works of Art, Important Silver and Objects of Vertu, May 20, 2015, lot 29; Private Collection, Chicago, acquired from the above. Though the Russian Imperial provenance for this case is a remarkably fleeting two weeks, it nevertheless is part of a fascinating story. The younger brother of Nicholas II, Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich occupied a place of special favor within the Romanov family as the youngest child of Alexander III. The Grand Duke enjoyed a relatively responsibility-free youth, as third in line to the throne after his elder brothers Nicholas and George, but when Nicholas became emperor in 1894, and George died in a motorcycle crash in 1899, Michael found himself heir presumptive to the Russian throne. He chafed at the position until the birth of his nephew the Tsesarevich Alexis in 1904, relieved him of the responsibility. It was, however, immediately apparent that the young Tsesarevich had hemophilia, and the specter of possible succession to the throne rose again. Michael found himself in a series of unsuitable relationships, and frustrated his family by his lack of concern for his duty. In December of 1907, Michael met a divorced commoner, Natalia Wulffert, with whom he began an affair in 1908. In 1910, the relationship resulted in an illegitimate son, and in 1912, the couple married illegally in Vienna, shortly after Natalia's second divorce. In a series of subsequent edicts by Nicholas II, Michael was relieved of his military command, banished from Russia, had his Russian assets frozen, and was removed from his position as Regent for the Heir. It was during this period, in December 1913, that Michael bought this case while shopping for Christmas presents during his exile in London. It is interesting to note that the edict freezing his assets came during this period, perhaps precipitating the return. The case returned to Fabergé's stock, where it was subsequently purchased by Nicholas Fabergé, Carl Fabergé's fourth surviving son, who worked for the London branch. Heritage Auctions is grateful to Valentin Skurlov and Dmitry Krivoshey for their assistance in the research of this lot. HID12401132022 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved