Tsarist Double-Headed Eagle Letter Opener

A figural letter opener with hand-chiselled imperial double-headed eagles

This figural letter opener was shaped as a ceremonial object, built around the motif of the imperial double-headed eagle. The heads, positioned in opposite directions, were carved directly into brass through a long process of hand-chiselling, filing and refinement. Their mirrored orientation creates a sense of vigilance and authority – a symbolic axis that defines the entire object.

The blade and handle were cast as a single solid form, allowing the sculpture to emerge from one continuous volume of metal. After casting, the piece was shaped by hand, giving the blade its precise taper and the eagles their sculptural clarity. The modelling of the beaks, feathers and crowns was developed gradually, creating a presence that is both ornamental and structural.

The surface is gilded with 23-karat Italian gold, giving the object a warm, reflective tone that emphasizes the transitions between polished planes and chiselled textures. The gold stabilizes the form visually, allowing the double‑headed eagle to function as a heraldic figure rather than a decorative motif.

The letter opener is housed in a custom dark-green wooden case created specifically for this piece. The hinges and clasps – shaped, fitted and gilded by hand – are part of the work rather than accessories. The interior is lined with velvet, creating a quiet environment that protects the polished surfaces and reinforces the ceremonial character of the object.

This piece belongs to a series in which functional tools are reinterpreted as sculptural figures. The double-headed eagle transforms the simple act of opening a letter into a small ritual, merging gesture, symbolism and metalwork into a unified form.

Watch the video about the hand-made and gold-plated luxury letter knife with tsarist head of eagles on my YouTube.