A Fabergé silver and pictorial enamel cigarette case, Moscow, 1908-1917

the lid painted en plein after Viktor Vasnetsov's "Battle of the Slavs and the Scythians" (1879) within an arched reserve, both surfaces decorated in three registers with shaded cloisonné enamel stylized foliate and geometric forms and elaborately ornamented with applied cloisons, cabochon sapphire thumbpiece, gilt interior, struck K. Fabergé in Cyrillic beneath the Imperial warrant overstriking workmaster's initials, probably those of Fedor Rückert, 88 standard, scratched inventory number 42007 or 42002

Col. Oleg Ivanovich Pantiukhov (Pantuhoff) (1882-1973)
Thence by descent

overall good condition; some small fading to gilding of interior
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Col. Oleg Ivanovich Pantiukhov (or Pantuhoff in emigration), a graduate of Tiflis Cadet Corps and the Pavlovsk Military Institute, was founder of the World Scouting Movement in Russia, having formed one of the first Russian Scout Troops in Tsarskoe Selo in 1910. He served with distinction in World War I and was awarded the Order of St. George in 1915 for his courage and bravery in battle.  While fighting German troops near the village of Maisiagala (Lithuania), Pantiukhov organized an important counter-attack despite being wounded with a serious concussion and succeeded in recapturing seized artillery. The exhilarating battle scene on the cover of this Fabergé cigarette case would have made it an appropriate gift for a war hero and it is possible that this case was given to him in concert with the Order of St. George. He was again seriously wounded a year later and spent much of the pre-revolutionary period recuperating in Yalta.  He briefly served as Commandant of the Third Moscow Ensign School, before the fall of the Imperial government.  After leaving Russia, he continued to work with the scouting movement, organizing the Russian Scouts Abroad.  His memoir, O dniakh bylykh: semeinaia khronika Pantiukhovykh, was published in 1969.