Antoine Chenevière Fine Arts London
35 Years of D isco ve ry
Antoine Chenevière Fine Arts
3 5 Years of D isco ve ry
London
Index of Letters J. Carter Brown
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Director of the National Gallery of Art Washington DC
Henry Troyat
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Académie française
Jayne Wrightsman
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Trustee Metropolitan Museum of Art. New-York
Professor Boris Piotrovsky
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Director Hermitage State Museum
Mrs William McCormick Blair Jr
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Vice President The Lasker Foundation
Kenneth Snowman
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Chairman Wartski
Daniel Alcouffe
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Inspecteur Général Musée du Louvre
Simon de Pury
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Managing Director Europe Sotheby’s
Sir Francis Watson
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Director Wallace Collection Surveyor of the Queen's Work of Art
Donald Mc Clelland
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Exhibition Curator Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service Washington DC
Edward Kasinec
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Chief Slavic and Baltic division The New-York Library
Francois Catroux Interior Design
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35 Years of Discovery
The history of Russian furniture is above all about creativity, seeking new forms rather than adhering to classical rules. lf the results of imagination appear excessive at times, or the materials used impractical, it is because these objects were created for the moment, and not posterity. The craftsmen who made these pieces of furniture were serfs working in an atelier of a feudal master, with no right to sign them or claim authorship; they carried out numerous commissions and were allowed to experiment with a great variety of materials. The furniture they produced between 1780 and 1840 was in both scale and character like nothing ever seen in the West. This was due to a system of production which was unique to Russia, the invention and development of particular techniques to the highest standards and the development of genuinely national characteristics. There follows some of the highlights of discoveries made during the past 35 years.
History
Antoine Chenevière grew up in Geneva, where he studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. He worked at an architectural studio in Milan and then at the Didier Aaron gallery in Paris. Chenevière opened his first gallery in 1976 in Geneva, specialising in Russian and Northern European furniture. ln 1985 he opened a gallery in Dover Street, London and has operated from other Mayfair addresses over the years. As an historian of Russian furniture, Chenevière is probably best known for his seminal publication, Russian Furniture: The Golden Age 1780-1840, first published in English (Weidenfeld & Nicholson) in 1988, and then in French and ltalian. Part of the book's international success was due to the author's access to material from the then Soviet Union. This was with the help of his friend Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza, who noted in the foreword: 'inspired by neoclassicism and from a complex system of production and an exceptionally wide range of materials, Russian cabinet-makers created their own style. Antoine Chenevière's study is a handsome celebration of their work.' Sir Francis Watson, former Surveyor of the Queen's Works of Art and director of the Wallace Collection, observed that 'the study of Russian furniture [has been] an almost closed book as far as the West is
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concerned' and greatly congratulated the author 'on laying so soundly the foundations'for
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the study of this subject (RSA Journal, Vol. 137, no. 5400, November 1989). Published during a period when the Soviet Union began to open up and was restructured under its last President, Mikhail Gorbachev, this book reflected a renewed Western interest in Russian culture, not least by the US President Ronald Reagan.
In 1989, a year after the book's publication, the National Gallery of Art, Washington, had plans to stage a major exhibition on Russian Palaces, patronage and collecting. At the request of J. Carter Brown, director of the National Gallery of Art, Antoine Chenevière was asked to be guest curator of furniture on the European team lead by the architectural historian Gervase Jackson-Stops. The exhibition did not materialise due to financial issues. For the past 28 years, Antoine Chenevière has been a leading authority on Russian and Northern European furniture. The gallery has sold works to major musuems including
o f Y e a r s
Edinburgh as well as helping to form private collections in Europe and the USA.
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Francisco, The National Gallery of Arts, Washington and the National Galleries of Scotland,
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The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, the Legion of Honor Fine Arts Museums of San
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1. Russian ormolu and patinated bronze vase. By F. Bergenfeldt. St Petersburg. Circa 1805.
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H: 56 cm (the pair); H: 78 cm (the single).
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H: 91 cm; W: 52 cm.
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Circa 1810.
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Set of eighteen Russian neo-classical brass and mahogany dining chairs.
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3. Russian mahogany, gilded bronze and watercolor occasional table. Attributed to A. Voronikhin. Circa 1805.
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H: 89 cm; W: 56 cm.
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4. Italian gilded bronze, purple ebony and fruit wood pair of commodes. Designed by Antonio Asprucci (1723-1808) made by Ivo Livinedi with mounts by Luigi Valadier (1726 1785). Rome. Circa 1784-1785.
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H: 101 cm; W: 163 cm; D: 79 cm.
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5. Russian oval mahogany, colored glass and gilded bronze occasional table. Circa 1790.
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H: 74 cm; W: 70 cm.
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Henri Troyat Académie française
6. French gilded bronze and mahogany armoire. Circa 1808.
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(detail)
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7. Russian ebonized and birchwood occasional table. by Heinrich Gambs. St Petersburg. Circa 1790.
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H: 75 cm; W: 66 cm.
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H: 89 cm; W: 56 cm.
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Attributed to Andrei Voronikhin. Circa 1805.
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Pair of Russian simulated bronze and giltwood armchairs
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9. Russian ewer, ormolu and Tulyakov jasper. After a design by Andrei Voronikhin. Ekaterinburg, Imperial stone cutting factory. 1807.
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H: 51 cm.
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10. Russian mahogany and brass bergere. St Petersburg. Circa 1805
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H: 101 cm; W: 67 cm.
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11. Russian ormolu mounted, mahogany and ebonized wood commode. Circa 1790.
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H: 89 cm; W: 125 cm.
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12. Russian simulated bronze, gilded bronze and gilded wood central table. Attributed to A. Voronikhin. Circa 1790.
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H: 78 cm; W: 115 cm.
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Trustee Metropolitan Museum of Art. New-York
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Jayne Wrightsman
D i s c o v e r y
C o r r e s p o n d a n c e
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13. Russian mahogany and brass bureau secretaire. Moscow. Circa 1795.
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H: 214 cm; W: 108 cm.
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14. Spanish pair of ebonized wood, brocatelle marble, gilded wood and gilded bronze commodes. Madrid. Circa 1780.
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H: 94 cm; W: 142 cm.
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15. Russian gilted bronze and cut glass chandelier. Possibly by A. Schreiber.
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St Petersburg. Circa 1815.
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16. Russian mahogany and brass neoclassical bureau secretaire. Moscow. Circa 1800.
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H: 132 cm; W: 128 cm.
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17. Russian Rhodonite, Porphyre and Rieder jasper obelisk. After a design by A. Voronikhin. Circa 1802.
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H: 91 cm; W: 21 cm.
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18. Italian giltwood mirror. Rome. Circa 1770. H: 165 cm; W: 122 cm.
19. Russian mahogany, colored glass and gilded bronze central table. Attributed to Heinrich Gambs. St Petersburg. Circa 1800.
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H: 78 cm; W: 64 cm.
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20. Roman white marble Lion head from a strigilated sarcophagus. Third century A.D. Reign of Diocletian.
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H: 58 cm; W: 47 cm.
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Ekaterinburg. Imperial stone cutting Factory. Circa 1827. H: 32 cm.
D i s c o v e r y o f
After a design by Andrei Voronikhin.
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Russian Rhodonite and gilded bronze pair of vases.
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Professor Boris Piotrovsky Director of the Hermitage State Museum. St Petersburg.
22. Russian patinated bronze and labradorite jasper gueridon. St Petersburg. Circa 1855.
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H: 72 cm; W: 66 cm.
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23. Russian mahogany, ebonized wood and gilded bronze bureau secretaire. By Heinrich Gambs. St Petersburg. Circa 1805.
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H: 126 cm; W: 132 cm.
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24. Austrian cherry wood and ebonized wood occasional table. Vienna. Circa 1815.
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H: 72 cm; W: 68 cm.
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25. Austrian ebonized and gilded wood chair. Vienna. Circa 1815.
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H: 78 cm; W: 45 cm.
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26. Russian mahogany and gilded bronze paire of commodes. By Christian Meyer. St Petersburg. Circa 1795.
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H: 85 cm; W: 142 cm.
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27. Italian neoclassical gilded bronze, jasper stone samples and cameo mantel clock. Attributed to Giuseppe Valadier (1792-1839). Rome. Circa 1815.
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H: 64 cm; W: 29 cm.
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28. Russian mahogany, ebony inlaid and gilded bronze library table. Attributed to Heinrich Gambs. St Petersburg. Circa 1795.
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H: 76 cm; W: 112 cm.
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Vice President The Lasker Foundation
29. Italian cherry wood pair of chairs. After a design by Agostino Fantastici. Siena. Circa 1815.
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H: 88 cm; W: 47 cm.
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30. Russian mahogany, gilded bronze and grey porphyre gueridon. St Petersburg. Circa 1780.
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H: 82 cm; W: 49 cm.
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31. Russian pair of patinated and gilded bronze vases. By F. Bergenfeldt. After a design by Tomas de Thomon. St Petersburg. Circa 1805.
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H: 76 cm.
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32. Russian mahogany and gilded bronze bureau plat. St Petersburg. Circa 1800.
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H: 76 cm; W: 188 cm.
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33. Russian mahogany and brass open armchair. St Petersburg. Circa 1815.
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H: 88 cm; W: 52 cm.
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34. Russian malachite, mahogany and gilded bronze pair of gueridon. Designed by Andrei Voronikhin in 1803 and made by Heinrich Gambs. St Petersburg. State present from H.I.M Emperor Alexander I of Russia to
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T.R.H King Friedrich Wilhelm III and Queen Louise of Prussia.
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Possibly Imperial glass factory. St Petersburg. Circa 1800.
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Russian pair of gilded bronze and colored glass candelabrum.
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36. Russian gilded bronze, rose wood, birch wood, and cherry wood marquetry commode. By Christian Meyer. St Petersburg. Circa 1790.
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H: 81 cm; W: 134 cm; D: 61 cm.
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37. Austrian, ebonized, birch and gilded wood pair of open armchairs Vienna. Circa 1810.
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H: 104 cm; W: 68 cm.
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38. Russian mahogany, brass and gilded bronze bureau jardinière. After a design by A. Voronokhin and made by Heinrich Gambs. Circa 1810.
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H: 124 cm; W: 136 cm.
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39. Russian mahogany, gilded bronze and labradorite jasper occasional table. Circa 1790.
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H: 68 cm; W: 57 cm.
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40. Russian mahogany and brass paire of commodes. Attributed to Heinrich Gambs. Circa 1795.
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H: 84 cm; W: 132 cm.
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41. Russian mahogany and brass library table. Moscow. Circa 1805.
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H: 76 cm; W: 91 cm.
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42. Set of twelve Russian mahogany and brass dining chairs. Moscow. Circa 1825.
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H: 88 cm; W: 47 cm.
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43. Russian mahogany and brass bureau secretaire. Moscow. Circa 1800.
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H: 220 cm; W: 110 cm.
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44. Italian gilded bronze, porphyre and alabaster pair of vases. Attributed to Raffaele Castellini. Rome. Circa 1790.
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H: 24 cm.
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45. Italian simulated bronze and gilt wood pair of armchairs. Naples. Circa 1795.
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H: 98 cm; W: 58 cm.
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46. Russian green glass, mahogany and gilded bronze library table. Attributed to Christian Meyer. Circa 1805.
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H: 77 cm; W: 110 cm.
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47. Russian Rhodonite jasper and gilded bronze column. After a design by Andrei Voronikhin. Ekaterinburg, Imperial stone cutting factory. Circa 1808.
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H: 73 cm.
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48. Russian mahogany, ebony veneered and gilded bronze bureau plat and his armchair. St Petersburg. Circa 1790.
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H: 74 cm; W: 148 cm.
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49. Russian mahogany and eglomise glass mirror. Circa 1800. H: 145 cm; W: 68 cm.
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Sir Sir Francis Watson Director Wallace Collection Surveyor of the Queen's Work of Art
H: 37 cm.
D i s c o v e r y o f
St Petersburg. Circa 1790.
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Russian neo classical Imperial porcelain factory pair of vases.
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51. Russian mahogany and brass chair. St Petersburg. Circa 1790.
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H: 89 cm; W: 54 cm.
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52. Russian, mahogany, brass mounted and tapestry panel secretaire a abattant. Circa 1805.
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H: 166 cm; W: 74 cm.
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French gilded bronze and porcelain mantel clock. Circa 1830. (detail)
Circa 1835. H: 92 cm; W: 51 cm.
D i s c o v e r y o f Y e a r s
Set of fourteen Russian neo-classical brass and mahogany dining chairs.
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55. Set of four Italian colored and patinated wood three branch wall lights. Florence. Circa 1785.
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H: 52 cm.
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56. Russian mahogany and gilded bronze commode. By Christian Meyer.
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St Petersburg. Circa 1790.
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57. Russian steel and gilded bronze cassolette. Tula. Imperial gun factory. Circa 1775.
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H: 22 cm..
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58. Italian rose wood, cherry wood and green breccia marble pair of commodes. Florence. Circa 1780.
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H: 95cm; W: 145cm.
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59. Russian mahogany, gilded bronze and porcelaine central table . Imperial porcelaine factory. Alexander II period. Circa 1835. H: 84 cm; W: 138 cm.
Provenance: Collection Baron Hans-Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza
60. A French mahogany and ebonized bureau-plat. By Boilaud. Paris dated 1822. H: 78 cm; W: 176 cm; D: 87 cm.
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Provenance: Collection Gianni Versace.
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61. Russian porcelain, ivory and gilded bronze Samovar. Imperial porcelain factory. Alexander II period. Circa 1835.
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H: 62 cm.
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62. French birch wood hall chair. By Louis Majorelle. Paris. Circa 1900.
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H: 106 cm.
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63. Russian, red glass and gilded bronze column. St Petersburg. Circa 1805.
64. Russian, mahogany open armchair. Moscow. Circa 1805.
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H: 91cm; W: 64cm.
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65. Russian mahogany and brass display table. St Petersburg. Circa 1805.
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H: 154 cm; W: 117 cm.
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66. Russian Rhodonite jasper and Kalkan jasper pair of Tazza. Ekaterinburg, Imperial stone cutting factory. Circa 1835.
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H: 31 cm.
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