Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna: A Fabergé Imperial Presentation jeweled gold cigarette case, workmaster August Holmström, St. Petersburg, circa 1895

rounded rectangular, the exterior engraved with parallel lines partially covered with a samorodok surface, the upper left corner with gem-set Imperial cypher of Maria Pavlovna, the reverse with a lion's head and the motto 'True to the End' in enameled in royal blue champlevé, struck with workmaster's initials, 56 standard, and scratched number 2940, contained in original fitted case

Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna (1854-1920)
Princess Catherine Galitzine Campbell (1897-1988), a gift from the above
Thence by descent

very heavy and impressive; overall very good condition; some small surface wear consistent with age
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.

Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna (1854-1920) gave this unusually heavy and beautifully jeweled gold cigarette case to her maid of honor (freilin) Princess Catherine (Ekaterina) Pavlovna Galitzine, daughter of Prince Paul Golitsyn (1856-1914/16), Nicholas II’s Master of the Imperial Hunt and an Actual State Councilor, and his wife, Princess Alexandra Meshcherskaya (1864-1941), a maid of honor (freilin) to Empress Alexandra. The marriage produced two sons and five beautiful and talented daughters; Catherine was the third.  Although the Golitsyn family was large, Catherine Galitzine, as it was spelled in emigration, had particularly close ties to the Imperial court through both her father and her cousin Prince Mikhail Golitsyn (1840-1918), who served as Chancellor to the court of Grand Duke Vladimir and Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna from 1901 to 1918. These family ties helped the young Catherine to secure a position in Maria Pavlovna’s court, which rivaled the Imperial court in splendor. In the dark days of the Revolution and Civil War, the loyal young Catherine stayed by the Grand Duchess’ side. Catherine escaped Russia as well, although records and family traditions are unclear as to whether she accompanied the Grand Duchess or members of her family.  She was able to make her way to the south of France, where she met Captain James Haldane Adair Campbell (1893-1945), a son of the Laird of Tullichewan and great-grandson of William F. Havemeyer, the illustrious mayor of New York. The couple married in London in 1922. Probably to honor her new family’s history, the Princess commissioned a jeweler to add the Campbell family crest and motto (“True to the End”) to the underside. After Campbell’s death from an illness contracted while fighting in World War II, Princess Catherine worked as a journalist and writer. We are grateful to Princess Catherine’s descendants for assistance in cataloguing this lot.