Russian cigarette case late 19th-early 20th - V.T.

[Septodecaphile]

Hello,

I've been doing research on this item I own and cannot find who the maker's mark belongs to.
I am attaching links to photos of the front and back of the case, each side, and the maker's marks, which, unfortunately, my camera would not allow me to focus on properly. I apologize in advance for the blurry maker's mark photos as they will probably be useless to you. Surprisingly perhaps, the case has no "84" Zolotniki mark or Kokoshnik mark, and the tiny maker's mark, which appears on the lip of the lid and on the inside bottom of the case, is V.T. in a small rectangle.

Front of the case: http://tinypic.com/r/i1f98n/7
Back of the case: http://tinypic.com/r/5bvgaq/7
Side 1 of the case: http://tinypic.com/r/dpeiqd/7
Side 2 of the case: http://tinypic.com/r/wtyk49/7
Inside of the case with blurry maker's mark: http://tinypic.com/r/23tqatc/7
Lip of the lid with blurry maker's mark: http://tinypic.com/r/htsa3m/7

Any help would be appreciated regarding the provenance/timeline/origin/maker of the case.

Thanks very much,

Charles

[Zolotnik]

Hi Septodecaphile -

The origin of your cigarette case has a wellknown Imperial Russian root and motif (1908-17): bear family in the wood, but this motif was also copied in the Baltic states.
Your case is from the Estonian town Tartu, made by the wellknown silversmith V. Tiido (1922-39) - the measures are smaller than the Russian case and the thumbpiece is a gold mounted glass cabouchon instead of a push button. The inscriptions and initials are Latin and Kyrillic - typical for this time and region. The elephant (symbol for force and fidelity) is also typical for the 3 Baltic states. There should be Estonian marks - maybe you have not seen them or they are missing, which is not very common! The case is authentic and a nice Baltic silver object. Congratulations!

Regards
Zolotnik

[Septodecaphile]

This is excellent news - thank you so much for the information, Zolotnik!

[Septodecaphile]

Another quick question for you, please, Zolotnik: would polishing this item lessen its value? I know that "patina" is often considered a plus, especially in North America, which is where I am.

Thank you in advance,

Charles

[Zolotnik]

Hi -
silver must shine! Nobody wants oxydiced and dull silver - exept those who do not like to care for their silver! Than it has "patina"!
Please read the different tutorials on this forum re silver cleaning, before you make some mistakes (overpolishing, buffing etc.!!!).

Only clean, cared and well stored silver will maintain its value for the next generations!

Regards
Zolotnik

[Septodecaphile]

Thank you once again!

[Qrt.S]

Kindly read this good thread of how to polish silver...even in North America. Patina is one thing, tarnished, black and dull silver is something else called "dirth"....nicely expressed.
viewtopic.php?f=34&t=26020

[Septodecaphile]

Thank you Qrt.S - I completely agree with you!