Watch List notes:

RUSSIA

Nicholas II, 1894-1917. Snuff Box, half pink gold half silver with a sapphire button, accompanied with a box decorated by a Russian imperial crown in yellow and pink gold. In a side is a match compartment with scratcher. 92 x 65mm. AU & AR 177 g.

Ferdinand Thormeyer (1858-1944), born in Carouge (Geneva, Switzerland) in 1858, was tutor in the Imperial Court of Russia in 1886. At the age of 28, he taught French language and literature to the children of Emperor Alexander III. He provided lessons to the Tsarevich Nikolai Aleksandrovich (future Emperor Nicholas II) and Grand Duke George Alexandrovich for three years. Then for 13 years he was governor for the other imperial children, the Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna, Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich and Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna. As he went back to Switzerland in 1899, the children kept a regular correspondence in French with him, which can be seen as a sign of great friendship. Among other acknowledgments, he received this snuff box engraved in the lid with the following message: "Nicolas Georges. à M. Thormeyer. Souvenir de trois bonnes années" ("Nicolas Georges to Mr Thormeyer as a souvenir of three good years."). Exceptional object offered affectionately by Nicholas II of Russia to his tutor.