Wealthy post-communist Russian collectors have developed a keen interest in their country’s imperial heritage and items associated with the former royal family are eagerly snapped up at auctions worldwide. The most highly prized objects are items made by Fabergé, the famous St Petersburg jeweller that once supplied the tsarist Romanov court.

The Russian Sale at Bonhams in London on Wednesday features a Fabergé jewelled silver gilt and enamel cigarette case purchased by the Empress Alexandra Fedorovna.

It was presented to her husband Tsar Nicholas II on May 29th, 1897. The estimate is £150,000-£200,000. – MP