A silver match safe executed in the expressive style of Russian Art Nouveau, featuring a mythological subject dedicated to the Leshy, the forest spirit of East Slavic folklore. The front is adorned with a sculptural relief bust of the figure, depicted with a wild, tangled beard, a heavy winter hat, and a high fur coat collar. The frightening yet inwardly benevolent grimace emphasizes the dual nature of the Leshy as both a dangerous and protective being. Through the mirage-like plasticity of the form, a female face subtly emerges - an allusive motif referencing folk beliefs about the Leshy’s fondness for misleading and frightening young women, leading them astray in the forest.
The reverse side of the match safe is decorated with a relief composition representing a symbolic “bar of offerings-amulets” traditionally presented to the Leshy before entering the forest. Suspended elements inlaid with colored glass and semi-precious stones evoke a ritualistic atmosphere and reinforce the object’s sacral character. Within the depth of the relief, misty silhouettes of children’s and women’s faces appear to emerge from the silver surface, imparting a sense of otherworldly mystery and metaphysical presence associated with forest spirits.
Beyond its utilitarian function, the match safe is conceived as a symbolic object. Within the aesthetic framework of Art Nouveau, it functions as a “key” to parallel worlds, a sign of initiation into hidden knowledge and natural forces. The motif of fire, inherent in the object’s practical use, acquires an additional layer of meaning - mastery over the elemental force and protection during travel. Such objects were highly appreciated by collectors and aesthetes of the early twentieth century.
Hallmarks: No hallmarks detected. By style, artistic language, and execution technique, the piece is comparable to works by Pyotr Milyukov, a Moscow silversmith and workshop owner associated with the national-romantic branch of Russian Art Nouveau.
Dimensions: Height: 6 cm. Width: 4 cm.
Weight: 50 g.
Condition: Good. Surface with natural patina of age. Minor signs of use. No deformations or losses of decorative elements.
Provenance: Private collection.
At the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Russia witnessed the formation of a distinctive national version of Art Nouveau, in which European formal experimentation merged with romantic nationalism and a renewed interest in folklore. Russian Art Nouveau actively incorporated motifs from folk mythology, ancient beliefs, and fairy-tale imagery, viewing them as sources of authentic national identity. The Leshy, as a central figure of forest mythology, became a powerful symbol of nature’s hidden and irrational dimension.
Silver objects of this period frequently transcended purely decorative or utilitarian functions. Craftsmen sought to transform everyday items into vehicles of complex artistic and philosophical expression. Match safes, snuffboxes, cigarette cases, and small-scale sculpture became true “artifacts of the era”, reflecting fascination with mysticism, symbolism, and the irrational. Relief modeling, asymmetrical compositions, and the use of semi-precious inserts corresponded fully to the Art Nouveau aesthetic, which prized fluidity of form, movement, and emotional resonance.
Moscow silversmiths of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, including figures such as Pyotr Milyukov, actively explored mythological and allegorical themes. Their works are distinguished by free sculptural modeling, refined surface treatment, and an emphasis on conveying psychological depth. In such objects, the Leshy appears not merely as a fairy-tale character but as an embodiment of archaic worldview, in which the forest is understood as a sacred space inhabited by spirits and governed by ritual interaction.
This match safe fits organically into that artistic context. It exemplifies the characteristic synthesis of function and symbolism found in Russian Art Nouveau, transforming a small silver object into a concentrated expression of its era’s aesthetic ideals and cultural imagination.
Good condition. Silver with even patina. Semi-precious inserts and glass preserved. Minor age-related wear, without cracks, deformations, or evidence of restoration.
The condition report is provided for informational purposes only.
It is not comprehensive and may not reflect all defects, restorations, alterations, or adaptations, as Antiqon does not perform professional conservation-level assessments. The information is based on a qualified, yet subjective, evaluation by our specialists.Before purchasing, we recommend consultation with an independent expert.Please also consult our Terms and conditions and Glossary A-Z, which contain important information on lot characteristics and sale conditions.
