A Walrus Ivory Tobacco Case inlaid with Gold and Silver -kubachi, the Caucasus. Circa 19th century.
This fine tobacco case consists of two hinged parts made out of hollowed Walrus ivory tusks. The two convex external sides are intricately decorated with gold swirling foliate designs within a silver wire medallion reminiscent to many similar medallion designs used in Islamic art.
This motif is most commonly found in Koraan dividers of sections (جزء) and ranging to their more common use in central carpet medallions. This case has a small lock which indicates how tobacco was considered a luxury product.
Size: 10cm*5.5cm*3cm