Russian's lived a hard life under the Tsars and the Bolshevik Revolution which started at the end of World War I didn't bring them anything much better. Nicholas II the last Russian Tsar, his wife and four children were all murdered in July of 1918 by the Bolsheviks.

Tins as ornate as this would have not been produced after the war and subsequent revolution. Judging by the size of this tin I think it held about a pound of tea and it is unlikely Russians would have had access to this amount of tea after the Communist's took power. I am guessing this tin dates to about 1900 with it's art noveau design and would have been purchased by a well to do person.

I think it is fascinating how this tin would have started in Russia, made it's way to Florida and now resides near Toronto. It would be sweet if our collection's came with bio's.

Two more sides.

I have had this very large Russian tin for a few months now. I snagged it for $25 but it was in rough shape. The lid was a mass of bumps and bashes and there was over a hundred years of dirt engrained into it. I have spent hours cleaning it and popping out dents but I think it turned out quite nicely.

It is a big tin standing about 11 inches tall. The construction of the base is interesting. It is a shallow metal tray that the sides were placed in and then soldered. On the lid of the tin to the middle right is the crest of the Romanov family and Tsar Nicholas. I have tried to research the signifigance of a tin box having this mark but could find nothing but I am sure that it's use would not have been taken lightly.

If anyone has any ideas on what the contents might have been or what the tsarist connection signified please let me know.

Vlad