Russian Gold and Silver Cigarette/Vesta Case with Sapphire Stone

Fine Russian gold and silver cigarette / vesta case, marked 88 zolotnik to silver, 56 zolotnik (14ct) to gold, c1896-1908, of rounded rectangular form in reeded sunburst design, in duotone finish, the hinged top cover set with a gold mounted thumb piece accented with a cabochon cut sapphire stone, the top case edge opening to reveal a vesta compartment with striking surface to underside, the case decorated to front and back with three gold Cyrillic monograms, plaque with engraved signatures plus two later applied plaques, one Australian dated 1928, the other in the form of a horseshoe with rose cut diamonds, total weight 172gm, 3.94 in. x 2.56 in.