1914 Russian Karelian Birch Officer’s Box with Silver Enamel Regimental Badge

A rare Russian Imperial officer’s commemorative box, made from solid Karelian birch and mounted with a silver and enamel badge of the 193rd Sviyazhsky Infantry Regiment.

The box is constructed from solid figured boards rather than veneered wood. The Karelian birch has a particularly attractive honey-golden colour with swirling grain, dark inclusions and numerous characteristic “eyes”. The lid is attached by a finely constructed integral wooden hinge.

The silver and enamel mount follows the design of the officer’s regimental badge approved on 15 April 1911. Its elaborate composition includes the dates 1711 and 1911, the Imperial double-headed eagle, the cyphers of Peter I and Nicholas II, the number 200 on a red enamel shield and the abbreviated name of the 193rd Sviyazhsky Infantry Regiment.

Although the regiment received its final designation in 1910, its inherited seniority dated from 19 February 1711 and its historical lineage was traced to a Kazan garrison formation established during the reign of Peter the Great. The dates on the badge therefore commemorate two centuries of regimental tradition rather than two centuries under the same regimental title.

In 1911 a jubilee Alexander ribbon was granted to the regimental colours, and the commemorative badge was officially approved for the bicentenary.

The construction of the mount is especially noteworthy. A normal officer’s badge intended for wear on a uniform had a separate cross-shaped reverse plate, upon which the maker’s and silver marks were normally placed. The present emblem was instead made specifically for mounting on the box. It is fitted with a central threaded post and secured inside the lid by a large circular plate.

The plate is stamped:

“K. I. Bok

Morskaya 9

Petrograd”

Karl Ivanovich Bok’s firm operated from 9 Bolshaya Morskaya Street and produced Imperial Russian orders, military badges, school badges and commemorative insignia. Before the renaming of St Petersburg, its screw plates were marked “K. Bok / Morskaya 9 / S.P.B.” After August 1914, the firm used the address “K. I. Bok / Morskaya 9 / Petrograd”.

The Petrograd inscription dates the final assembly of the box to approximately 1914–1917. The design of the silver mount itself preserves the regiment’s bicentenary symbolism introduced in 1911.

This type of privately commissioned or presentation object was suitable for an officer’s desk, regimental rooms or use as a personal commemorative box. Its dimensions and plain interior also make an original use as a desk cigarette box very plausible.

Measurements: 16.8 cm long, 8.8 cm wide and 4.7 cm high.

Excellent antique condition. Minor surface marks and natural wear consistent with age are present. There is one natural cavity in the timber inside the box. Concentric marks around the badge were caused by tightening and adjusting its threaded mounting. The silver mount and its white, red and dark enamel are well preserved, without significant enamel damage.

Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance.