1914 Russian Karelian Birch Officer's Box With Silver Enamel Badge
Buckland, United Kingdom
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Easy returns (14 days)
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Buyer protection
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Dimensions
Wear Condition
Excellent
Material
Birch
Style
Antique
Product Details
Description
A rare Russian Imperial officer's desk box combining highly figured solid Karelian birch with a silver and enamel regimental emblem.
The restrained rectangular form allows the remarkable timber to dominate the design. The box is made from solid boards rather than veneer and displays the distinctive swirling grain, dark natural "eyes" and warm honey-golden colour associated with Karelian birch. A long integrated wooden hinge connects the lid to the body.
The centre of the lid is mounted with a silver and enamel emblem of the 193rd Sviyazhsky Infantry Regiment. The design was officially approved in 1911 to commemorate two hundred years of regimental tradition.
The emblem includes the dates 1711 and 1911, the Imperial double-headed eagle, the cyphers of Peter I and Nicholas II, the number 200 on a red enamel shield and the abbreviated name of the regiment.
The historical lineage of the unit was traced to a Kazan garrison formation established in 1711 during the reign of Peter the Great. Although the 193rd Sviyazhsky Infantry Regiment received its final title in 1910, it inherited the earlier seniority and associated military traditions.
The silver emblem was made specifically as a decorative mount for the box. Unlike the officer's badge intended to be worn on a uniform, it does not have the separate cross-shaped backing plate normally used to carry the silver marks. Instead, it is secured directly through the lid by a central threaded post and a large circular fixing plate.
The plate is marked:
"K. I. Bok
Morskaya 9
Petrograd"
Karl Ivanovich Bok's firm operated from 9 Bolshaya Morskaya Street and specialised in Imperial Russian orders, military badges, tokens and institutional insignia. Before August 1914 its fittings referred to St Petersburg; after the city was renamed, the firm used the address "Petrograd". This dates the box in its present form to approximately 1914–1917.
The box would have been suitable for an officer's desk, a regimental interior or presentation as a personal military keepsake. Its proportions are also consistent with an original use as a desk cigarette box.
Measurements: 16.8 × 8.8 × 4.7 cm.
Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance.
Condition report:
Excellent antique condition. Minor surface marks and natural wear are consistent with age and use. There is one natural cavity in the timber inside the box. Concentric marks surrounding the badge were caused by tightening and adjusting its original fitting. The silver and enamel emblem is well preserved, without significant enamel damage.
Wear Condition
Excellent
Cancellations
We offer free cancellations and full refund for orders cancelled before dispatching. View full policy.
Returns
We have a 14-day return guarantee for all orders within the UK and European Union. View full policy.
Additional Delivery Info from Seller
Estimated delivery time
Less than one week
Free collection available
No
Made to Last
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Reviews
5.0
Based on 4 reviews
Wear conditions
Excellent
Shows little to no signs of wear and tear.
Good
May show slight traces of use in keeping with age. Most vintage and antique items fit into this condition.
Average
Likely to show signs of some light scratching and ageing but still remains in a fair condition.
Apparent Wear and Tear
Visible signs of previous use including scratches, chips or stains.
Please refer to condition report, images or make a seller enquiry for additional information.
Cancellations and Returns
Last updated: 12/02/2026
Clear, predictable protection for every pre-loved purchase.
Simple £75 flat return fee for UK-to-UK mainland furniture when you change your mind.
Applies to furniture with a final selling price of up to £5,000 (excluding delivery and service fees) and delivered from a UK mainland seller to mainland UK addresses. Excludes Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Scottish Highlands & Islands, Isle of Wight and Isles of Scilly.
Buying vintage should feel inspiring, not uncertain.
Every order on Vinterior is backed by straightforward returns, free cancellations, and extra peace of mind for UK furniture purchases.
1. Free cancellations
Changed your mind before dispatch?
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To cancel an order, click Create cancellation on the order page.
Once an item has been dispatched, delivery costs are not refundable.
Bespoke, personalised or made-to-order pieces cannot be cancelled.
2. Returning an item
You have 14 days from delivery to request a return.
There are two return types:
A. The item isn't as described (free return)
If your piece arrives and it doesn't match the listing in any material way (incorrect description, undisclosed damage, inaccurate measurements, misleading photos), you are fully protected:
- Free return
- The seller or Vinterior arranges pickup
- Full refund, including outbound delivery costs once the seller receives the item
This applies to all purchases.
B. You changed your mind
UK-to-UK furniture deliveries:
To make UK furniture returns predictable and stress-free, we offer a simple flat return fee of £75.
- Applies to furniture delivered from a UK mainland seller to a mainland UK address. Excludes Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Scottish Highlands & Islands, Isle of Wight and Isles of Scilly.
- Pickup arranged for you
- One clear fee, no surprises
We coordinate the return with either the seller's chosen courier or our trusted delivery partner.
All other items
Most smaller items are straightforward to return.
You can still return your item within 14 days.
- For smaller or parcel-sized items, you can choose to post the item back yourself using a tracked service, or the seller can suggest a preferred courier.
- For larger or more fragile pieces, the seller may recommend the safest return method.
- Return delivery costs vary depending on size and courier.
The seller will confirm the best option based on the item.
3. If your item arrives damaged
Damage on arrival is uncommon, especially for UK furniture deliveries.
But if something does go wrong, you're fully protected.
- Let us know as soon as possible (ideally within 72 hours of delivery) so we can resolve things quickly
- Share photos so we understand what happened
- We’ll help arrange a return and refund if needed
You’re always protected when something goes wrong in transit.
Your statutory rights apply for up to 30 days from delivery.
4. What can't be returned
Some items cannot be returned:
- Bespoke, personalised, or made-to-order pieces
- Items altered after delivery
5. How to start a return
- Log in to your Vinterior account
- Open your order
- Click Create a return
- Add notes + photos if relevant
We'll guide you through the rest.
6. What happens next
- We review your request, confirm the return and advise on next steps
- Pickup or return method is arranged
- The item is returned to the seller
- We issue your refund once the seller confirms the item's condition
Returns are completed smoothly once the pickup is arranged.
7. Refunds
Once the seller receives the piece back in the same condition it was sent, we'll issue your refund to your original payment method.
Once a refund is issued, it may take up to 5–10 working days for the funds to appear back on your original payment method, depending on your bank or card provider.
If the item is returned with new damage that wasn't present at delivery, the refund may be adjusted following review.
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What your service fee covers
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14-day return guarantee
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Flat-fee return shipping on UK furniture
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Seller vetting
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Dedicated customer support
| Order Value (£) | Fee (£) |
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| 0 — 49.99 | 2.75 |
| 50 — 99.99 | 5.50 |
| 100 — 199.99 | 11.00 |
| 200 — 399.99 | 21.00 |
| 400 — 599.99 | 30.00 |
| 600 — 799.99 | 40.00 |
| 800 — 999.99 | 50.00 |
| 1,000 — 1,499.99 | 55.00 |
| 1,500 — 1,999.99 | 60.00 |
| 2,000 — 4,999.99 | 82.50 |
| 5,000+ | 110.00 |
Added at checkout, based on your basket total.
