of upright rounded rectangular form, the surface enamelled in translucent powder blue over engine-turned swags within chased gold leaf tip borders, the opening banded with a laurel trail within opaque white enamel, spinel pushpiece, the lid flange inscribed and dated: 'DER UNGEKANNTEN RETTERIN 1906', struck with workmaster's initials and Fabergé in Cyrillic, 56 and 88 standards

Given by Prince Gottfried zu Hohenlohe-Schillingsfürst (1867-1932) to his future sist🥂er-in-law, Princess Maria Anna of Bourbon-Parma, Archduꦐchess of Austria (1882-1940) in 1906

Thence by descent

There are enamel losses at the side near the rim mount and at the hinge with metal showing, the largest being approx. 4mm wide. There is a shallow loss to the enamel surface at the pushpiece. The white enamel of the laurel band is largely lacking. The rim mount is slightly loose at its join with the body; the hinge is also slightly loose. Some scratches to the enamel. The body has been re-enamelled; in certain light, this enamel appears slightly lighter than the enamel of the lid section. The lid sits askew on the body.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This cigarette case is a romantic token of the triumph of love over the strict edicts of Imperial marriage.  Prince Hohenlohe-Schillingsfürst served as Austrian military attaché in St Petersburg from 1902 to 1907, during which time he met and fell in love with Archduchess Maria Henrietta of Austria (1883-1956).  As a member of the Teschen branch of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine, Maria Henrietta's marriage was subject to the approval of Emperor Franz Joseph I (1830-1916) as Head of the Imperial House, the precept being that a prospective spouse had to be from one of the reigning or formerly reigning dynasties of Europe; from a mere princely family, Gottfried was of insufficient rank.  The Emperor had taken a very hard line in 1899 when his nephew and heir, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, had wished to marry Countess Sophie Chotek, von Chotkowa und Wognin finally agreeing to the union after intercessions from family relations and foreign monarchs on the condition that it be morganatic.  In the case of Prince Gottfried and Archduchess Maria Henrietta, it was her sister Maria Anna who successfully pleaded with the Emperor to allow the match.  The wedding took place on 3 June 1908 in Baden.  Presumably, Prince Gottfried purchased this Fabergé case in St Petersburg as a gesture of gratitude, having it engraved for his future sister-in-law with the touching reference to her as 'The Un-named Saviour'.