Exquisitely designed and handcrafted, the cases were a valuable luxury and a functional necessity in which a gentleman could store and display his cigarettes. Each case in the Traina collection is flawlessly constructed and unique, differing in size, shape and materials. And each has its own personality, revealed in the hallmarks of the workmasters, crests, monograms - and in scratches, dents and bumps from use. For this volume, specially commissioned color photographs reflect the dazzling display of materials used in creating these treasures, such as precious metals and gemstones, a rainbow of enamels, nephrite, wood, glass, crystal and leather, for instance. The cases are examined and put into their historical context with provocative and informative essays and commentaries by Geza von Habsburg, scholar and Faberg expert, Mikhail Piotrovsky, director of the State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, and dealers, curators and collectors in the field.
Detailed captions provide the provenance of and interesting facts about each case.
The book is not only lavishly illustrated but contains valuable information about Faberg 's relationships with the czars and includes a detailed list of Faberg cigarette case workmasters. Faberg made a point of not using showy, flashing and costly materials for their own sake. He was more concerned with the visual appeal and substance of the case than its cost. I have little interest in an expensive object if its price is only in the abundance of diamonds and pearls. Traina notes that while Cartier had 60 color shades of enamel in its shops in total, Faberg had 25 blues and a palette of at least 150 other hues.