Rare Romanov-era Russian silver letter opener or paper knife from the period of Tsar Nicholas II, the handle which features a repoussé silver bust of Count Leo Tolstoy with a flowing beard is probably based on the enclosed photograph of the author (not included). The paper knife was created by the famous pre-revolutionary Russian silversmiths Khlebnikov and Sons in Moscow.

Stamped with the imperial warrant of Khlebnikov, Moscow, 1908-17

-9 ¼ in. (23.5 cm) long; 127.5 grams, 4.1 troy ounces. The wooden display: 11 x 3 x 1 1/2 in. (27.9 x 7.6 x 3.8 cm) (l x w x h)

Count Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910), the famous author of War and Peace considered by many readers to be the best novel ever written enjoyed an enormous following but was plagued by self-doubt throughout his life. This paper knife was created by Khlebnikov in Moscow upon Tolstoy’s death of pneumonia in 1910. Sold with custom-made wooden holder.

For more information on Khlebnikov see, Beyond Fabergé: Imperial Russian Jewelry by Marie Betteley and David Schimmelpenninck van der Oye, Schiffer Publishing, 2020.