Silver cigarette case of the work of A. Bobarykin was sold at Violity auction for almost half a million hryvnias (Photo)

A cigarette case made of silver by the master A. Bobarykin was sold during a bid at the Violity online auction for 420 500 UAH. The Lot “Cigarette Case Freedom (World Revolution)” was followed by 373 users.

The silver item sold at auction was made by master A. Bobarykin. This is indicated by the stigma — “A. Bobarykin” and “A. B”, located on the inner surface of the casing of the cigarette case. This is one of his early works during the first years of Soviet power (1920-1924). The plot traces symbolism that fully corresponds to the ideological orientation of that period, says in the description of the lot on the site auction.

A star with a hammer and sickle against a background of oak leaves, a symbol of the strength and power of a workers' state, adorns the foreground of a cigarette case.

The middle plan is “given” to a woman standing in front of a border pillar, symbolizing the absence of barriers. She walks the planet with broken chains, her hand pointing to the rising sun.

In the background of the composition is the sunrise, as a symbol of the beginning of a new era.

As you know, cigarette cases were made of different materials. But preference was still given to silver. This choice was due to the unique properties of the metal: ease of processing, resistance to environmental influences, beautiful color and brilliance.

Inserts made of stones, including precious ones or their imitations — multicolored transparent and opaque glass — were used to decorate cigarette cases. Typically, this decor adorned the castle or the outer surface of the upper casement.

About a month ago, two similar to the lot — cigarette case “Red Army soldier of the Eastern Railway of the USSR, De-Kastri Bay” and “Cigarette case. About the Battles Tale”. 566 thousand UAH were paid for two products. Both cigarette cases belonged to the same seller, possibly a collector of tobacco accessories.