Russian silver snuff box depicting General Raevsky at the Battle of Saltanovka
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1816
This Russian snuff box is crafted from silver, featuring an 84 silver standard hallmark alongside the assay master's mark. The box, which weighs 122 grams and measures 8.2 by 9.5 by 2 cm, is distinguished by an inset gilt-metal plaque on the lid.
This central relief depicts the historical scene of General Nikolay Raevsky leading a bayonet charge alongside his two young sons during the 1812 Battle of Saltanovka, a key event in the Russian campaign against Napoleon. The decoration serves as a symbolic tribute to patriotic heroism and familial devotion, themes central to Russian military folklore of the Patriotic War. The silver body of the box is elegantly framed and demonstrates period craftsmanship associated with the early 19th century.
In addition to the metal quality marks, the piece bears a maker's mark in Cyrillic 'DK' and is dated 1816, providing clear chronological placement shortly after the events depicted.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Weight
- 122 gr
- Material
- silver, gilt-metal
- Dimensions
- 8.2 x 9.5 x 2 cm
Technical characteristics
- Hallmarks
- 84 silver standard, maker's mark 'DK', assay master's mark
Design
- Lid motif
- General Nikolay Raevsky with his two sons at the Battle of Saltanovka
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
- Maker named in listing
- DK
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.