A window into the past – The tobacco tin made of silver, gold and niello
Sometimes a window opens to the past—and we're allowed to glimpse true works of art that tell stories of splendor, grace, and refined taste. Like this extraordinary treasure from the early 19th century: a tobacco tin made of 925 silver , artfully refined with gilding and niello .
Crafted in the 1820s and 1830s in the famous Veliky Ustyug , one of the centers of Russian silversmithing, this masterpiece bears the signature of AI Zhilin – one of the great masters of his time.
A map for eternity: The engraving of the Vologda region
A very special motif shines on the lid of the tobacco tin: a finely engraved historical map of the Vologda Governorate . Every tiny detail—rivers, cities, borders—has been captured with utmost precision. Next to it is an artfully curved dedication and a directory of administrative districts, lovingly engraved in old-fashioned handwriting.
Coats of arms, symbols and the language of silver
The sides of the tobacco tin also tell stories: coats of arms of the districts are inlaid along the edges – small windows into a time when heraldry expressed pride and identity. The delicate niello decorations capture light and shadow, making the symbols appear almost alive. Gilded surfaces frame the scenes like sunlight flowing over silver.
The importance of tobacco tins in the 18th and 19th centuries
Tobacco tins were once far more than just storage containers: They were considered an expression of taste, education, and style. Especially among the nobility and the middle classes, it was considered good form to offer guests the finest snuff in ornate tins. They were often crafted to commemorate a special event—as a gift, as a symbol of appreciation, or as a sign of belonging to a region or family.
A fine tobacco tin was a gift with soul – a companion in everyday life and a piece of one’s own history in the palm of one’s hand.
A new chapter in our SilverCosmos
This outstanding work of art will soon become part of our exclusive “Silver Moments with a Story” collection – a special selection of unique silver treasures that actually belong in a museum, but with us are given the chance to write new stories – perhaps with you.
Under the banner of our Nielloa brand, we are bringing this masterpiece into a new era: a world that celebrates the craftsmanship, attention to detail, and timeless beauty of genuine silver.
A verse woven from silver and time
A grasp of time, a touch of shine,
trapped in silver, held in dance.
Past voices, hidden, preserved,
carried in hands – a piece of the old style.
Silver Signature
Refined by the SilberSuperTeam™ – with style & soul.
SilverMoments | SilverVerses | Nielloa