Russia, Tula, second half of the 19th century (approx. 1860 - 1880)
Box
Blued and polished steel with engraved and chased decoration
H 3 × W 12 × D 8 cm
Elegant rectangular box belonging to the famous Tula artistic steel production, one of the most prestigious manufactories in the Russian Empire between the 18th and 19th centuries. The lid, completely removable, features rich decoration with phytomorphic motifs and vegetal scrolls, organized according to a rigorous symmetrical layout around a central heraldic shield left smooth, probably intended for an engraving with initials or a coat of arms.
The entire surface is embellished with refined engraving, chasing, and punching work, with a finely granulated background that creates an elegant chiaroscuro contrast with the polished parts. The edge is bordered by a double frame consisting of a continuous procession of small raised rosettes, a motif that also continues along the sides of the container and on the four flattened ball feet, decorated with the same ornamental repertoire, testifying to the considerable executive care reserved even for the secondary parts of the object.
The lower compartment is made as an independent container on which the lid simply rests, in a type intended for storing small precious objects, snuff, or desk accessories.
The city of Tula, located about 180 kilometers south of Moscow, has been one of Russia's most important metallurgical centers since the 17th century. Its fame stems from arms production, favored by the presence of rich iron deposits and the founding, in 1712 by order of Peter the Great, of the Tula Imperial Arsenal, which was destined to become the Empire's main military facility.
Alongside military production, refined artistic steel processing developed rapidly. The same armorers, with extremely high technical skill in tempering, engraving, and chasing, began to create luxury objects for the Russian aristocracy and European courts.
Between the second half of the 18th century and the entire 19th century, production included boxes and caskets, snuff boxes, jewelry boxes, travel necessaires, card holders, frames, desk sets, candlesticks, and small ornamental objects.
These artifacts were authentic luxury goods, often given as diplomatic gifts or commissioned by Russian noble families.
Tula steel does not identify a particular type of alloy, but rather a specific decorative technique. The artisans worked steel through tempering and mirror polishing, surface bluing, burin engraving, chasing, punching, and sometimes applications of gold, silver, or damascene work.
The contrast between the blued surface and the polished decorations was the distinctive feature of these works, capable of imitating the preciousness of silver while maintaining the extraordinary resistance of steel.
Objects made of Tula steel were widely distributed throughout the 19th century, both in the Russian domestic market and through international trade.
They were exhibited at major European universal expositions and found buyers at the main continental courts, where they were particularly appreciated for their extraordinary technical quality and their ability to combine functionality and elegance.
Today, Tula works are preserved in the collections of the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, the State Historical Museum of Moscow, and numerous European collections dedicated to decorative arts and Russian artistic metallurgy.
📏 All our works are accompanied by a detailed certificate of authenticity.
📦 Professional packaging and insured shipping to ensure maximum safety during transport.
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