Up for bid is a fine Tsarist Russian silver cigarette box with niello decoration, dated 1875. The box is 3 7/8 inches long by 2 1/8 inches wide and weighs 116 grams. The top is decorated in niello with a scene of a city plaza and buildings.  The back has a niello checkerboard pattern with an unengraved oval cartouche.  The box has a spring catch with a press button.  There are fabric ribbons on both halves of the interior.  The piece is marked inside of both halves with a maker’s mark of [Ae], an assay master’s mark for 1875, [84] and a town mark for Moscow.  

Condition on the box is fairly good.  There is a short split at one corner, as shown, as well as a few minor dents and wear to the niello surfaces.  A fine old Russian box!