Russian Silver. Enamels. FabergĂŠ
Andre Ruzhnikov +44-7866-638-973 +1-917-244-3777 +7-905-715-5530 ruzhnikov.com e-mail: andre@ruzhnikov.com info@ruzhnikov.com
Silver The tradition of gold- and silversmithing in Russia reaches back well into the Middle Ages. Beginning in the mid-16 th century, throughout the 17th century, until the reign of Peter the Great, the Kremlin workshops (Oruzhenynaya palata) produced superb jewelled and enamelled gold and silver-gilt artifacts, many of them commissioned by the tsars. Many of them can today be admired in the Kremlin Armoury Museum. The forms of these objects were essentially Russian: the oklad (icon covers), kovsh (duckshaped drinking vessel), charka (vodka cup), bratina (bowl), stakan (beaker), as well as arms and liturgical implements. Neglected throughout most of the 18th century and early 19th century when they were supplanted by Western shapes and decorations, all these forms resurfaced during the Russian national revival beginning in the 1840s and remained popular until the 1917 Revolution. Beginning with the rule of the pro-Western Tsar Peter I in the late 17th century and until the reign of Tsar Alexander I (1801-1825), Russian decorative arts, including silver and gold, were subjected to several waves of European influence, first Dutch, then German and finally French. Craftsmen from these countries supplied the Russian court with great masterpieces, and many of them settled in St.Petersburg, inspiring their Russian competitors to ever more European forms of expression. Early Victorian silver continued to exercise influence in St.Petersburg through the Magasin anglais or ‘The Great English Shop of Nichols and Plinke’, founded in 1804 as a retailer of fine wines, silk, toilet accessories and porcelain. By the end of the 1830s they had become the main suppliers to the Court in silverware, maintaining their preeminent position until 1878. Carl Tegelsten and his workshop, one of the outstanding sources of fine silver, also produced large silver services for the Imperial family in the 1830-
1840s. The leading suppliers in liturgical objects were Fyodor Verkhovtsev and Daniil Andreyev, whose highly celebrated works have been almost completely annihilated by the Bolsheviks. Other names, celebrated at the time, but little known today are those of Alexander Kordes and of the Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Vaillant. Moscow, on the other hand, could boast of the most important Russian silversmith of the mid-19th century, Ignaty Sazikov, whose work was highly appreciated both at home and abroad. Russia owes Tsar Nicholas I (1825-1855), who was personally fascinated by his country’s glorious historical and artistic past, the re-introduction of a truly national idiom. It was Nicholas who encouraged and financed the pioneering studies of Fyodor Solntsev, Russia’s architectonic past. His publications were to have a lasting effect on Russian decorative arts of this tsar’s reign, including Ignaty Sazikov, Pavel Ovchinnikov, Ivan Khlebnikov and all the other Russian craftsmen represented in this catalogue. Sazikov showcased his gold and silver wares at the Russian shop located at Englehardt House on Nevsky Prospect, St. Petersburg and won a gold medal at the local Industrial Art Exhibition of 1849. Abroad his figural sculpture ‘Dmitri Donskoi’ won him a Grand Gold Medal at the 1851 Great Exhibition in London, the first example of a Russian historical subject treated by a silversmith. Other typical examples of this uniquely Russian idiom are trompe l’oeil wares such as woven baskets, vodka-sets with basketweave mounts and cigar or cigarette-boxes engraved with tax-bands. The Pan Slavic, or Old Russian style permeates all of Russian decorative arts for virtually the entire second half of the 19th century. www.ruzhnikov.com • 3
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Enamels
The earliest examples of Russian 19th century revivalist enamelling date from the 1860-70s. They are in a technique called champleve (from the French for ‘raised’ (leve) and ‘field’ (champ)) thus called because the metal is gouged out and filled with enamel. The Russian craftsmen, such as Pavel Ovchinnikov and Ivan Khlebnikov, who pioneered the re-introduction of this technique, were justly renowned at home and also exhibited their wares abroad to great acclaim. Others early enamellers include Andrey Bragin and Ignaty Sazikov. Their designs were often based on peasant embroideries or Old Russian architectonic elements. Soon thereafter, by the late 1870s, a new technique was introduced called cloisonné, from the French cloison, or cell, comprised of thin strips of metal soldered to the surface, forming cells. The leading craftsmen in this newly re-discovered technique were the same Ovchinnikov, Khlebnikov and Sazikov. Their wares are directly inspired by Muscovite examples produced during the reign of the first Romanov Tsar, Mikhail, in the 1620s and 1630s in the Kremlin workshops. The enamels of oklads, quivers and horse trappings produced in this workshop are the direct predecessors of similar enamels adapted to modern shapes of coffee-services, tea-glass holders and kovshes. 4 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Widespread knowledge of these 17th century artifacts among Russian silversmiths of the period was due to the publication of Fyodor Solntsev ‘Antiquities of the Russian State’ which appeared between 1846 and 1853 and which exercised enormous influence on the applied arts during the second half of the 19th century. This early type of cloisonné enamel was in the so-called Pan Slavic style, displaying scrolling foliage and flowers in a traditional palette of predominantly turquoise, pale and dark blue hues with additional accents in red, white and green, all on a stippled gilt ground. Lesser craftsmen such as Klingert, Postnikov, Adler, Kuzmichev and Lyubavin all followed suit. In the 1880s Ovchinnikov also pioneered with the introduction yet another enamelling technique, plique a jour, or window enamel, from the French ‘a jour’ or ‘open to the day’. This technique was first introduced in France in the 1870’s and adapted soon thereafter by Ovchinnikov, who produced footed cups, kovshi and small bowls in ‘window enamel’. In Russia this technique was short-lived, but it gained a new life of its own in Norway, where Jacob Tostrup, Torlof Prytz and the firm of Andersen with their work-master Gaudernack, established a local tradition that continued into the 20th century.
During the last years of the 19th century, a new style was introduced in Russia by the leading enamellers called ‘shaded’ cloisonné enamel. As opposed to the monochrome cloisons of the traditional Pan Slavic palette, the cells are now internally painted. Early examples of this technique can be found in the 1870s. These items shows the first signs of painted scrolling flowers. These flowers are in the so-called ‘Usolsk’ style, which derives from late 17th, century enamelled silver-gilt wares produced in Solvychgodsk under the patronage of the Stroganov family. Characteristic for this school were large painted scrolling ‘fleshy’ flowers in pastel tones ultimately derived from earlier Dutch and English examples. They first appear inserted in separate cloisons applied onto a stippled ground. Soon thereafter, ‘Usolsk’ flowers appear painted en plein as a continuous frieze on a white ground. Their 17th century prototypes are ascribed to craftsmen from Solvychegodsk who settled in Moscow. The revivalist versions, originally probably due to Fyodor Rückert, show vessels decorated overall with scrolling flowers in pastel hues against a background of white, or cream- coloured enamel. The separating cloisons and the rims of these objects are made of twisted, or corded, wire. Only a handful of examples of this style date from before 1899, the remainder is all from the period between 1899 and 1908. The pre-1899 examples are either hallmarked by Ovchinnikov, but probably supplied by Rückert, or bear only the FR punch of Rückert’s firm. Between 1899 and 1908 numerous wares in the ‘Usolsk style’ appear bearing the Imperial Warrant mark of Ovchinnikov and the initials of Rückert, while others, obviously also by Rückert, lack his maker’s mark. This lackadaisical approach to the signature of the actual maker, as opposed to that of the retailer also characterises the relationship between Rückert and Fabergé. The question is then justified, whether wares in this characteristic style hallmarked by yet other enamellers such as Orest Kurlyukov and Iakov Borisov might not also have been supplied anonymously by the same Rückert.
The late 19th - early 20th century was also marked by the appearance of a new and highly original Russian style partially inspired by the example of Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau movements abroad. At home called, stil moderne, it was promulgated by the highly influential Moscow Stroganov School and by a schools of artist craftsmen located at Abramtsevo and Talashkino. This truly novel style is perhaps most vividly expressed in the paintings and designs of Mikhail Vrubel, but also finds its place in the applied arts, mostly after 1908. The old firms, Ovchinnikov, Semenova, Kurlyukov, adapt as best they can, while Khlebnikov thrives, producing original shapes and designs. The small Artels or associations of craftsmen founded after 1908, and in particular the 11th and the 6th Artels, achieve interesting colourful combinations. But of all Russian enamellers of the early 20th century, the most original, the most gifted, without any doubt, was Fyodor Rückert, to whom a separate chapter is dedicated.
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Imperial Presentation Silver-Gilt Platter Ovchinnikov, Moscow reference number: RS_001 1896 silver-gilt diameter 58 cm; weight 5.600 gr maker’s mark: Imperial Warrant mark of Pavel Ovchinnikov assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials L.O. of Lev Oleks assay mark of Moscow, 1896 silver standard: 84 zolotnik Provenance Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna of Russia Count Lennart Bernardotte
Ovchinnikov Ovchinnikov - alongside with Fabergé, one of the most important silver- and goldsmith of the nineteenth-century Russia. The firm was founded in 1853 by Pavel Akimovich Ovchinnikov (18301888). In 1865, at the Pan-Russian Manufacturing Exhibition in Moscow, it won the first prize and the title of the official purveyor to the future Tsar Alexander III. In 1881, Ovchinnikov was awarded the title of the supplier of Imperial Russian court.
Massive circular parcelgilt Imperial presentation platter. The centre is applied with the crowned Cyrillic monogram of Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna of Russia, the inner border is chased with scrolling acanthus leaves, concentric outer borders are chased with strapwork, circles and scrolls. The platter is a typical example of important Imperial commissions received by major jewellery firms. Such dishes were presented at the arrival of distinguished guests on the occasion of the traditional bread and salt ceremony. The present item was a gift to Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna of Russia (18901958).
The firm’s production was highly praised by many other European royal courts. Ovchinnikov was appointed the official purveyor to King Victor Emmanuel II of Italy in 1873, Grand Duke Mikhail Nicholayevich in 1878 and King Christian IX of Denmark in 1888. He developed an international clientele and opened a branch in St.Petersburg. He received several awards in his lifetime such as the Légion d’Honneur in 1867 and the Order of the Iron Crown in 1873. His success helped him found a school for 130 goldsmiths and silversmiths in 1871. From 1865 his work was featured numerous times in exhibitions around the world. These included the Exposition Universelle in Paris, Weltausstellung in Vienna and many others.
Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna
After the death of the founder the business was carried out by his sons Mikhail, Alexander, Pavel, and Nikolai, and survived until the Revolution. www.ruzhnikov.com • 7
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Silver-Gilt and Niello Tea Set Vasiliy Semenov for Ovchinnikov, Moscow reference number: RS_006 1888 silver-gilt, silver, niello box 37.4 x 29.2 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic initials V.S. of Vasiliy Semenov assay Master’s mark: Cyrillic initials A.R of unidentified master assay mark of Moscow, 1888 silver standard: 84 zolotnik contained in original fitted case
Comprising: teapot, sugar bowl, cream jug, six teaspoons, sugar sifter spoon, sugar tongs and lemon fork in wood box with initialled brass plate, lined in dark red silk printed in gold with Imperial Warrant and retailer’s details of Pavel Ovchinnikov, Moscow, the pieces decorated in niello with geometric scrolling foliage on textured ground and incorporating oval architectural panels of Muscovite views and monogram RTS, the teapot with ivory insulators to handle and ivory-mounted finial, the spoons with Muscovite architectural views to backs of bowls and spiraltwist stems, sugar bowl with conforming swing handle. Vasiliy Semenov owned a factory in Moscow which ran from 1852 up until 1918. His works were exhibited at the All-Russian Exhibitions of 1867 and 1882. For a similarly decorated tea and coffee set by Semenov, see plate 129, “Russian Gold and Silverwork 17th-19th Century” by Alexander von Solodkoff, Neuchatel and New York, 1981.
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Important Imperial Presentation Silver Tea and Coffee Set Ovchinnikov, Moscow reference number: RS_045 1892 silver length of tray: 58.5 cm maker’s mark: Imperial Warrant mark of Pavel Ovchinnikov assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials A.S. of Alexander Smirnov assay mark of Moscow 1892 silver standard: 84 zolotnik contained in original fitted case Provenance Presented to Grand Duchess Elena Vladimirovna (1882-1957) on the occasion of her wedding at Tsarskoye Selo on 29 (16) August 1902
Important Russian imperial presentation silver tea and coffee set by Pavel Ovchinnikov. The set belonged to Grand Duchess Elena Vladimirovna (1882-1957). Her collection was one of the few Russian aristocratic collections which escaped the Revolution intact. It was presented to her Highness by a group of high-ranking courtiers on the occasion of her wedding to Prince Nicholas of Greece and Denmark (1872-1938) in 1902. Each piece is engraved with the Duchess’s cipher - initial ‘E’ below the Russian Imperial crown, further decorated with Louis XVI style ribbon-tied floral garlands. The set comprises a hot water kettle with stand and burner, tea pot, coffee pot, creamer, sugar bowl, biscuit tray, cake basket, all contained in its original fitted oak case; the lid of the case is applied with a brass plaque engraved with the Duchess’s cipher. The reverse of the tray is engraved with the names of the original presenters of the set and the date when the gift was made: S.A. Arapova / J.O. von Peters / S.P. Durnovo / M.F. Mansurova / A.S. Istomina / G.R. Vasmund / Prince M.M. Golitsyn / Count M.P. Fersen / I.L. Tatishchev / Prince S.K. Beloselsky—Belozersky / A.A. Belyaev / Count M.N. Grabe / Count B.E. Stakelberg / A.S. Etter / August 16, 1902.
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Grand Duchess Elena was the only daughter and youngest child of Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich and Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna, cousin of Tsar Nicholas II and granddaughter of Tsar Alexander II. She was known as one of the greatest beauties of her time; in his memoirs Prince Felix Yussupov recalled: “[her] beauty fascinated me. She had the loveliest eyes imaginable, and everyone fell under their charm” (F. Yussupov, Lost Splendour).
Grand Duchess Elena Vladimirovna and Prince Nicholas of Greece, 29 (16) August 1902, Tsarskoye Selo.
Prince Nicholas first proposed in 1900, but Elena’s parents were initially opposed to the match: as the third son Nicholas had no real fortune or prospects of inheriting a throne. Nevertheless, two years later the couple were finally permitted to marry. The ceremony took place in the palatial church of the Catherine Palace at Tsarskoye Selo, the Imperial summer residence near St.Petersburg, and was conducted with great pomp. The marriage proved to be a very happy one, although the couple had to endure the untimely deaths of many family members and long years of exile. The couple had three daughters, all of whom shared their mother’s good looks. Princess Marina, the youngest, went on to marry George, Duke of Kent. Prince Nicholas and Princess Elena spent their last years in exile in Paris where Nicholas took up painting and Elena worked for various children’s charities. www.ruzhnikov.com • 13
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Circular Silver-Gilt and Enamel Box Ovchinnikov, Moscow reference number: RE_005 circa 1900 silver-gilt, enamel diameter: 12.7 cm maker’s mark: Imperial Warrant mark of P. Ovchinnikov assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.L. of Ivan Lebedkin assay mark of Moscow, 1899-1908 silver standard: 84 zolotnik Exhibitions Wilmington, Delaware, Riverfront Arts Centre, Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, 9 Sept 2000 - 18 Feb 2001, no. 67 Bibliography G. von Habsburg, Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, London, 2000, no. 67, p. 73, illustrated in colour
The cover of the box is decorated in plique-à-jour enamel with three nymphs with upraised arms centreing on a butterfly and surrounded by flowers and ribbons on stippled ground, the sides are ornamented with stylised flowers divided by turquoise entrelac bands in cloisonné enamel.
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Silver-Gilt and Enamel Cigarette Case Ovchinnikov, Moscow reference number: RE_028 1896 silver-gilt, enamel length: 10.2 cm maker’s mark: Imperial Warrant mark of Petr Ovchinnikov assay’s mark: Cyrillic initials L.O. Lev Oleks assay mark of Moscow, 1896 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Silver-gilt and shaded cloisonné enamel cigarette case decorated with birds, a butterfly, and large pink and white wild roses on stippled gilt ground, within pale- and dark-blue and white borders. The interior has a Cyrillic monogram ‘ZV’, is inscribed in Russian with “Souvenir of 1898” and numerous facsimile signatures.
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Silver-Gilt Enamel Beaker Ovchinnikov, Moscow reference number: RE_067 1883 silver height: 17 cm maker’s mark: P. Ovchinnikov with the Imperial warrant assay’s mark: Cyrillic initial V.P. of unidentified master assay mark of Moscow, 1883 silver standard: 88 zolotnik
Silver-guild slender tapering footed beaker. The exterior with enamel and filigree on stippled ground, decorated with two medallions and bands of stylised floral pattern. Inside bottom lip engraved in italics: ‘1849, 24 April’ / ‘1884’ (in Cyrillic).
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Circular Silver-Gilt and Enamel Platter Ovchinnikov, Moscow reference number: RE_068 circa 1900 silver, enamel maker’s mark: Imperial Warrant mark of Pavel Ovchinnikov workmaster’s mark: Cyrillic initials A.O. of unidentified master assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.L. of Ivan Lebedkin assay mark of Moscow, 1899-1908 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Circular with champlevé enamel band of stylised eagles and foliage in red, green, purple, white, turquoise and powder blue, similar concentric floral and geometric bands to centre, on collet foot.
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Silver-Gilt and Enamel Imperial Navy Commemorative Presentation Plaque Ovchinnikov, Moscow reference number: RE_072 circa 1895 silver, silver-gilt, enamel height: 11.7 cm; length: 15.4 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic P.OVCHINNIKOV with Imperial Warrant engraver’s mark: Cyrillic initials E.K of Eduard Kortman assay mark of St.Petersburg silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Rectangular silver plaque engraved with the armoured cruiser “Rossiya” above a Russian inscription in blue champlevé enamel within a silver-gilt and cloisonné enamel frame decorated with flowers in red, white, orange and three shades of blue on black ground edged with borders of foiled red rectangular motifs, with projecting square corners the silver back with Russian inscription and raised on four domed silver-gilt feet.
Imperial Russian Navy Armored Cruiser ‘’Rossiya’’ www.ruzhnikov.com • 21
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The front reads: “24 gun armoured cruiser 1st Class “Rossiya”, its construction begun in the St. Petersburg Baltic Works and the Mechanical Works Factory of the Maritime Ministry, 20th May, 1895 in the presence of their Imperial Majesties the Emperor, the Empress, Imperial Highness the Grand Duke, General Admiral”. The reverse reads “Vice Admiral Chikhachev, Commander-in-Chief of the Maritime Ministry; Representative of the Pacific Maritime Committee, Vice-Admiral Pilkin; Commander of the port of St. Petersburg, Vice-Admiral Verkhovsky; Representative of the Board of the Factory, General-Major Balk; Inspector of Shipbuilding Samoilov, Acting Chief-Inspector of Shipbuilding; Chief Shipbuilding Engineer of port of St. Petersburg, Senior Shipbuilder Subbotin; Director of the Factory , Senior Shipbuilder Ratnik; Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Senior Shipbuilding Engineer Titov.” The “Rossiya” was an armoured cruiser of the Imperial Navy whose construction started in 1893 but was finally laid down on 20th May, 1895 and launched on 30th April, 1896. She took part in the Review of the Fleet for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee held at Spithead in June, 1897. Based in Vladivostok at the time of the Russo-Japanese war of 1904/05, she was designed and served as a long-range commerce raider. Like the cruiser “Rurik”, she formed part of the Pacific Squadron and was damaged in the same battle at which the “Rurik” was scuttled in the Strait of Tsushima. However she was repaired within two months and returned to Kronstadt at the end of hostilities to undergo a major refit that lasted three years and was then used to lay mines during the Great War. In 1915 she underwent a further upgrading of her armaments but played no further part in World War I as her crew joined the Bolshevik revolutionaries in 1917. She was then put into reserve and finally scrapped in 1922.
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Imperial Russian Navy Armored Cruiser ‘’Rossiya’’
Distribution of vodka to the crew of Cruiser ‘’Rossiya’’ www.ruzhnikov.com • 23
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Silver-Gilt and Enamel Imperial Navy Commemorative Presentation Plaque Ovchinnikov, Moscow reference number: RE_073 1890 silver, silver-gilt, enamel height 12.8 cm; length 16.7 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic P.OVCHINNIKOV with Imperial Warrant assay Master’s mark: Initials A.A of unidentified master assay mark of Moscow silver standard: 84 zolotnik engraved by Eduard Kortman
Rectangular silver plaque engraved with the armoured cruiser “Rurik” with blue champlevé enamel Russian inscription below, the reverse inscribed with further Russian inscription, raised on four domed feet, within a silver and cloisonné enamel frame in green, white, red and three shades of blue, with scrolls and flowers edged with silver bead borders and enamelled projecting square corners, in later fitted case. The inscription on front reads: “20-gun armoured cruiser “RURIK”, its construction begun in the St. Petersburg Baltic Works on 19th May, 1890 in the presence of Their Imperial Majesties the Emperor and Empress, Her Imperial Majesty the Queen of Greece and His Imperial Highness General Admiral Alexei Alexandrovich”.
Imperial Russian Navy Armored Cruiser ‘’Rurik’’, Suez Canal www.ruzhnikov.com • 25
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The reverse inscribed: “Vice Admiral Chikhachev, Commander-in-Chief of the Maritime Ministry; Acting Commander of the port of St.Petersburg, Contre-Admiral Shefner; Inspector of Ship-Building Samoilov, Acting Chief-Inspector of Shipbuilding; Chief Shipbuilding Engineer of the port of St. Petersburg, Senior Shipbuilder Subbotin; Supervisor of Shipbuilding Engineer Junior Shipbuilder Dolgorukov”. Another example of this plaque is found at the Fabergé Museum, St.Petersburg. Although laid down in 1890, the “Rurik” was not launched until 1892 and only commissioned into the Imperial Navy in May, 1895 after which it joined the Russian Pacific Fleet at its Vladivostok base. As part of the Pacific Squadron under Admiral Dubasov it was charged with seeking out and destroying Japanese merchant ships off the coasts of the islands that made up Japan and in the Sea of Japan itself but by August, 1904 only one enemy vessel had been sunk. On 14 August the “Rurik” along with two of the other Vladivostok-based cruisers sailed towards the besieged Port Arthur to try and relieve the Japanese blockade which had trapped most of the Pacific Squadron inside the port. The three Russian cruisers then engaged a squadron of Japanese warships under ViceAdmiral Hikonojo in the Strait of Tsushima between Japan and Korea and during the ensuing battle the “Rurik” was hit three times in the stern resulting in her steering compartment being flooded. With her speed reduced and separated from the other Russian ships, she found herself trapped between enemy cruisers. At this stage the surviving Russian senior officer ordered the ship to be scuttled rather than surrendering it to the Japanese. Of the crew only 625 survivors were picked up by the enemy. 26 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Imperial Russian Navy Armored Cruiser ‘’Rurik’’, Nagasaki
Crew of the Imperial Russian Navy Armored Cruiser ‘’Rurik’’ www.ruzhnikov.com • 27
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Silver-Gilt and Enamel Imperial Navy Commemorative Presentation Plaque Morozov, St.Petersburg reference number: RE_074 1903 silver, silver-gilt, enamel height: 15 cm; length: 18.4 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic B.MOROZOV with Imperial Warrant workmaster’s mark: Cyrillic initials Ya.L. for Yakov Lyapunov, assay mark of St.Petersburg, between 1899-1908 engraver’s mark: Cyrillic initials E.K. for Eduard Kortman silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Rectangular with domed, undulating top and rounded projecting corners, engraved with the Imperial Yacht “Alexandria” above a Russian inscription in black champlevé enamel, applied with gilt knotted ropework borders, applied crowned Cyrillic cipher of Tsar Nicholas II to each corner, top with applied Imperial crown and blue enamel ribbons and with applied and gilt cut-out Russian words around the sides reading anti-clockwise from left to right “16 AUGUST”, “ALEXANDRIA” and “YEAR 1903”, the reverse with additional Russian inscription, in later fitted case.
The front reads:- “Paddle-propelled Imperial Yacht “Alexandria”, 500 tons water displacement, 975 indicator horse-power, Constructed in St.Petersburg Baltic Works and Mechanical Works of the Maritime Ministry, 16th August, 1903, in the presence of Their Imperial Majesties, The Emperor, the Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna and Maria Fyodorovna, Her Imperial Majesty Olga Konstantinovna and General Admiral His Imperial Highness Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich”.
The Imperial Yacht ‘’Alexandria’’ www.ruzhnikov.com • 29
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The reverse reads “Director of the Maritime Ministry, General-Adjutant Avelan; Chairman of the Maritime Technical Committee, Vice-Admiral Dubasov; Director of the Chief Directorate of Shipbuilding and Provisions, General-Lieutenant Lyubimov; Inspector-in-Chief of Shipbuilding, Inspector of Shipbuilding Kuteinikov; Chairman of the Board of the Baltic Works, GeneralLieutenant Lavrov; Director of the Baltic Works, General-Major Ratnik; Builder, Senior Assistant to the Shipbuilder, Lidov”. There is another silver plaque to the “Alexandria” for 1903 by Morozov in the collection of the Central Naval Museum of St.Petersburg. There were three Russian Imperial yachts, by far the largest was the “Standart”, followed by the “Alexandria” and the “Polar Star”. The first version of the “Alexandria” was built in Great Britain in 1851 and was replaced by the second version in 1903, built by the engineer, Lidov, at the Baltic Works. Construction was started on August 16th, 1903 and launched on August 29th of the same year but was not finished until the Spring of 1904. Up to 1918 the yacht served with the Lifeguard Equipage as part of the Baltic Fleet but from May, 1918, entered the reserve and in 1922 went into storage at the port of Kronstadt before finally being sold for scrap in May, 1927. The firm of Morozov was founded in St.Petersburg in 1849 soon became an official purveyor to the Imperial Russian court. Primarily a retail enterprise, Morozov’s firm also manufactured original production of its own, specialising in silverware and enamels.
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Nicholas II, President of France Raymond Poincare and Rene Viviani aboard the Imperial Yacht ‘’Alexandria’’. July 7, 1914
Nicholas II with his family www.ruzhnikov.com • 31
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Silver and Enamel Imperial Navy Commemorative Presentation Plaque Morozov, St.Petersburg reference number: RE_074 circa 1903 silver, silver-gilt, enamel height: 15 cm; length: 18.4 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic B.MOROZOV and Imperial Warrant workmaster’s mark: Cyrillic initials Ya.L. for Yakov Lyapunov assay mark St.Petersburg, between 1899-1908 engraver’s mark Cyrillic E.K. for Eduard Kortman silver standard: 84 zolotnik the plaque engraved with a representation of the battleship “Almaz” (Diamond); the border applied to the top is surmounted with a Russian Imperial crown.
Rectangular silver plaque with domed, undulating top and rounded projecting corners, engraved with a representation of the battleship “Almaz” (Diamond) above a Russian inscription in black champlevé enamel, applied with gilt knotted ropework borders, top with applied Imperial crown and blue enamel ribbons, the reverse with additional Russian inscription, in later fitted case.
Imperial Russian Navy Cruiser ‘’Almaz’’ www.ruzhnikov.com • 33
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The front reads: Second-class cruiser armed with eight guns / Almaz / with 3285 tons draft and 7500 units installed power / Constructed in St. Petersburg Baltic Works and Mechanical Works of the Maritime Ministry, 12th September, 1902 in the presence of Their Imperial Majesties, The Emperor, the Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna and Maria Fyodorovna. The reverse reads: Director of the Maritime Ministry, General-Adjutant Pavel Petrovich Tyrtov; Chairman of the Maritime Technical Committee, Vice-Admiral Dubasov; Director of the Chief Directorate of Shipbuilding and Provisions, General-Lieutenant Lyubimov; Inspector-in-Chief of Shipbuilding, Inspector of Shipbuilding Kuteinikov; Chairman of the Board of the Baltic Works, General-Lieutenant Lavrov; Director of the Baltic Works, General-Major Ratnik; Builder, Senior Assistant to the Shipbuilder, Moiseev. Such plaques were inset in each ship as a kind of passport and presented to dignitaries participating in the ceremony at the laying of the keel. Similar plaques can be seen in the Hillwood Museum in Washington, D.C., Central Navy Museum and Fabergé Museum both in St.Petersburg.
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Officers of the Imperial Russian Cruiser “Almaz”
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Pair of Silver Wine Coolers from the Grand Duchess Alexandra Nicholayevna Service Carl Tegelsten, St.Petersburg reference number: RS_003 1843 silver height: 26.5 cm each maker’s mark: Latin initials C.T. of Carl Tegelsten workmaster’s mark: Latin initials A.T. probably of A.Tobinkov assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials D.T. of Dmitry Tverskoy assay mark of St.Petersburg, 1843 silver standard: 84 zolotnik base inscribed No. 6.10-71; No. 12.10-77 Provenance Presented to the Grand Duchess Alexandra Nicholayevna (1825 1844), daughter of Nicholas I and Alexandra Fyodorovna, on her wedding to Landgraf Friedrich von Hessen-Kassel (1820 - 1884) in 1844
Pair of vase shape silver wine coolers from the Grand Duchess Alexandra Nicholayevna (1825 - 1844) dowry service offered to her by Tsar Nicholas I (1796 - 1855). One side of each vase is engraved with her cypher ‘AN’ beneath an Imperial crown, the other with the Imperial double-headed eagle; the handles are formed as acanthus branches; the everted rims are cast with scrolling foliage and raised on four scroll feet capped by acanthus leaves.
Carl Tegelsten Carl Johann Tegelsten (1798-1852) 19th century Russian silversmith of Finnish descent. Tegelsten was born in Finland in 1798, apprenticed in St.Petersburg in 1817, and became master in 1825. Since the 1830’s much of his work was retailed by the fashionable English Store, owned by the merchants Constantin Nicholls and William Plincke, which according to the court chamberlain Dolgoruky ‘’enjoyed universal trust’’
(A. Odom, Russian Silver in America: Surviving the Melting Pot, London, 2011, p. 145). After his death in 1852, the firm passed to his widow and son who continued the production until 1855. A leading court silver and goldsmith, Tegelsten became famous for producing services and table wares in the neo-Rococo taste in preparation for the marriages of many members of the Romanov family.
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Christina Robertson (1796 - 1854) Portrait of Grand Duchesses Olga Nicholayevna and Alexandra Nicholayevna of Russia, 1840 State Hermitage, St.Petersburg
Grand Duchess Alexandra Nicholayevna, born 1825, was the third daughter of Tsar Nicholas I, and reportedly his favourite child. In 1844 Alexandra married Landgraf Friedrich von Hessen-Kassel (1820 - 1884), heir to one of the most prestigious royal houses of Europe. The wedding took place at the Winter Palace in St.Petersburg and was celebrated with great pomp. Unfortunately, the marriage was not to last long; the following year Alexandra died in childbirth at the tragically young age of nineteen. 38 • Russian Silver. Enamels. FabergÊ
All three daughters of Nicholas I received lavish dowries, which, among other precious things, included large services supplied by Carl Tegelsten. The majority of the silver service which formed part of the dowry of Grand Duchess Alexandra Nicholayevna is in Schloss Fasanerie, property of the Grand Dukes of Hessen-Darmstadt (see Die Mitgift einer Zarentochter. Meisterwerke Russischer Kunst des Historismus aus dem Besitz der Hessischen Hausstiftung Museum Schloss Fasanerie, 1997)
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40 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver Wine Cooler from the Grand Duchess Olga Nicholayevna Service Carl Tegelsten, St.Petersburg Reference number: RS_004 1843 silver height 26.5 cm maker’s mark: Latin initials C.T. of Carl Tegelsten workmaster’s mark: Latin initials A.T. probably of A.Tobinkov assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials D.T. of Dmitry Tverskoy assay mark of St.Petersburg, 1843 silver standard: 84 zolotnik Provenance Presented to the Grand Duchess Olga Nicholayevna of Russia (1822-1892), daughter of Nicholas I and Alexandra Fyodorovna, on her wedding to Crown Prince Charles of Württemberg (1823 - 1891) in 1846
Silver vase shape wine cooler (from a pair) from the Grand Duchess Olga Nicholayevna (1822-1892) dowry service; one side of the tapering fluted body is engraved with the crowned monogram ‘ON’ in Cyrillic, the other with the Russian Imperial double-headed eagle; the handles are adorned with acanthus; the everted rims is cast with scrolling foliage and raised on four scroll feet headed by acanthus leaves. Grand Duchess Olga Nicholayevna was the second daughter of Tsar Nicholas I. Olga married Crown Prince Karl, later King of Württemberg (1823-1891). The ceremony was held in great splendour on 13 July 1846 at the Peterhof Palace near St.Petersburg. After the wedding the couple moved to Germany and lived mostly in the Villa Berg in Stuttgart and in the Kloster Hofen. In 1864, Karl acceded the throne and became the third king of Württemberg, making Olga it’s queen.
Grand Duchess Olga Nicholayevna
All three daughters of Nicholas I received lavish dowries, which included large silver services supplied by Carl Tegelsten. The service for Olga was to be in the ‘’latest truly beautiful and fine English fashion’’ (M. Lopato, Iuveliry starogo Peterburga, St.Petersburg, 2006, p. 128).
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Pair of Silver-Mounted Frosted Glass Wine Decanters with Covers Carl Tegelsten, St.Petersburg reference number: RS_018 1849 silver, glass height: 29.3 cm marks: maker’s mark: Latin C.T. of Carl Tegelsten assay master’s mark: Cyrillic D.T. of Dmitri Tverskoy assay mark of St.Petersburg, 1849 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Pair of silver-mounted frosted glass wine decanters of compressed spherical shape with elongated necks and hinged domed covers, mounted in silver and chased with trailing vines, with similarly decorated handles. These decanters are very much in the English style and recall examples by Reily & Storer of London.
42 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver Model of The Tsar Bell Carl Tegelsten, St.Petersburg reference number: RS_024 1840 silver height: 14 cm maker’s mark: Latin initials C.T. of Carl Tegelsten assay master’s mark: Cyrillic D.T. of Dmitri Tverskoy assay mark of St.Petersburg, 1840
Miniature silver model of Tsar Bell (Tsar Kolokol) naturalistically rendered after the original in it’s cracked state, chased with the bust-length profile of Tsarina Anna Ivanovna, the Saviour, the Holy Virgin, St.Anne, St.Peter and St.John the Baptist - by Carl Tegelsten.
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44 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver Trompe l’Oeil Bread Basket Khlebnikov, Moscow reference number: RS_005
Khlebnikov
1896 silver length: 57 cm maker’s mark: Khlebnikov in Cyrillic assay master mark: Cyrillic initials A.R. of A. Romanov assay mark of Moscow, 1896
Khlebnikov - an Imperial Russian jewellery firm, founded circa 1865 by Ivan Khlebnikov (1819-1881) in St.Petersburg, but transferred to Moscow in 1871.
Exhibitions Wilmington, Delaware, Riverfront Arts Centre, Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, 2000-2001
Large silver trompe l’oeil bread basket with twisted handles, chased to simulate wickerwork and a cloth napkin embroidered in peasant fashion. Such folklore objects gained popularity after the Reform of 1861 that proclaimed the emancipation of the Russian serfs. Great attention was focused on the peasants’ lives, their music, arts and crafts. Especially popular were objects decorated to simulate wood, embroidered fabric, woven birch bark, etc.
The business was highly successful and received the Imperial Warrant producing work of originality and highest quality using decoration in the traditional Russian style on many pieces. Enamel was a speciality especially plique-à-jour, but also cloisonné. The firm produced new objects for existing Imperial services in the Gatchina Palace, Anichkov Palace and Winter Palace in St.Petersburg (1870’s), in the 1870’s Khlebnikov was commissioned to make religious ornaments for the Church of Christ the Saviour in Moscow. The firm often exhibited at Russian and world fairs and in 1873 it received an achievement medal in Vienna.
Khlebnikov was appointed official purveyor to Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaevich (1872) and Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich (1877). He made works for the wardrobe of the future Empress Maria Fyodorovna (1873) and a liquor set presented by the Russian Merchant House of St.Petersburg to Kaiser Wilhelm I of Germany (1873). Awarded the title of official purveyor to the rulers of Denmark, Netherlands, Serbia and Montenegro (1877–79) and to the Imperial court of Russia (1879). The business terminated at the time of the Russian Revolution. Today, many of Khebnikov’s wares can be found in the Kremlin Armory, the State Historical Museum in Moscow, the Hermitage, Nizhny Novgorod Museum of and in the Hillwood Museum in Washington, D.C.
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46 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Wooden Presentation Box with Silver and Enamel Lid Khlebnikov, Moscow reference number: RS_012 1879 silver, wood, enamel, steel, miniature on paper 28.5 cm maker’s mark: Imperial warrant mark of Ivan Khlebnikov assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials A.K. of Andrey Kovalsky assay mark of Moscow, 1879 Provenance Sotheby’s New York, 6 December 1994, Sale 6636, lot 321
Large rectangular silver-mounted wooden presentation box surmounted with a skull. The hinged cover is applied with blue cloisonné enamel inscriptions in Cyrillic: “To Anatoly Petrovich Bogdanov / 3 April / 2 September 1879 / from Colleagues”, the jetons of the Imperial Society of Anthropology, Ethnography and Natural Sciences, and measuring tools. The interior to the cover is engraved with the names of the original presenters of the box and applied with an oval hand-coloured aquatint, depicting an archaeological site. The box contains the fitted compartments for accessories and two original steel measuring implements, together with a signed photograph of Anatoly Bogdanov.
The box was commissioned as a gift to Anatoly Bogdanov (1834 - 1896) one of the most famous Russian zoologists and anthropologists of the latter part of the nineteenth century, on the occasion of the Moscow Anthropological exhibition organised by the Imperial Society of Anthropology, Ethnography and Natural Sciences in 1879. From 1864 until his death, Bogdanov held a professor’s position in the newly created Department of anthropology at the Moscow State University. The scientist made an important contribution to the development of this emerging discipline not only in Russia but worldwide.
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48 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver Trompe l’oeil Tea Set A. Sokolov, St.Petersburg reference number: RS_069 1881-1882 silver height of the hot water kettle: 40 cm; weight: 2298 gr maker’s mark: Cyrillic initials A.Ya.S. of A.Ya. Sokolov / hot water kettle: marks illegible assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials A.F. of unidentified master / hot water kettle: marks illegible assay mark of St.Petersburg, 1881 & 1882 / kettle: Moscow, 1908-1917 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Silver trompe l’oeil tea set comprising teapot, hot water pot, creamer, covered sugar-bowl, tongs, cake basket, and tea strainer, all contained in the original fitted case, each piece engraved with intertwined Latin initials K.S. Further, the set was augmented with twelve tea spoons and a hot water kettle resting on a stand with a burner, all of identical design.
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Silver-Gilt and Enamel Cigarette Case Khlebnikov, Moscow reference number: RE_027 1874 silver-gilt, enamel length: 10.5 cm maker’s mark: Ivan Khlebnikov assay’s mark: Cyrillic initials V.S. of Viktor Savinkov assay mark of Moscow, 1874 silver standard: 91 zolotnik contained in original fitted case
Silver-gilt and champlevé enamel spring-loaded hinged cigarette case with a silver push piece; the exterior is overall decorated with zigzag black and white alternating enamel pattern. The cigarette case is contained in the original velvet and satin lined box with the Khlebnikov Moscow shop’s mark.
50 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver-Gilt and Enamel Cigarette Case Khlebnikov, Moscow reference number: RE_037 1890’s silver, enamel length: 9.1 cm maker’s mark: Imperial Warrant of Ivan Khlebnikov assay’s mark: Cyrillic initials A.A. for Anatoly Artsibashev assay mark of Moscow, before 1899 silver standard: 88 zolotnik
Silver-gilt cigarette case with rounded corners, both sides with translucent plique-à-jour enamel with stylised foliate and floral design. Both sides of the case are decorated with circular medallions in the middle, surrounded with four smaller circles at right degree angles. Turquoise enamel beading.
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Silver-Gilt and Enamel Cigarette Case Khlebnikov, Moscow reference number: RE_038 late 19th century silver-gilt, enamel length: 9.5 cm maker’s mark: Ivan Khlebnikov stamped in full Cyrillic assay master’s mark: obliterated assay mark of Moscow silver standard: 88 zolotnik
Silver-gilt and plique-à-jour enamel cigarette case with a spring-loaded hinge and a silver push piece. The lid is mounted with a plaque with intertwined Cyrillic letters ‘КЧС’.
52 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver-Gilt and Enamel Circular Lobed Bowl Khlebnikov, Moscow reference number: RE_065 silver-gilt, enamel circa 1900 height: 4.5 cm; diameter: 12.5 cm maker’s mark: Ivan Khlebnikov assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.L. of Ivan Lebedkin assay mark of Moscow, 1899-1908 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Circular silver-gilt and cloisonné enamel lobed bowl with four ball feet, concave circular inside. Interior has eight panels alternating with flowers and birds, emanating from the centre, the interior base has an image of a stylised exotic bird. Exterior is similarly decorated. Along the upper rim is a band of zigzag ornament.
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54 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver-Gilt and Enamel Tea Service Khlebnikov, Moscow reference number: RE_070 1891 silver, silver-gilt, enamel height of kettle: 32 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic Khlebnikov in full with Imperial Warrant assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials L.O. of unidentified master assay mark of Moscow, 1891 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Comprising: kettle and spirit stand with detachable lamp, teapot, covered sugar bowl, cream jug, slop bowl, sugar sifter spoon and sugar tongs, the latter by Pavel Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1882, spherical form with matte silver surfaces and champlevé enamel Pan-Slavic band and borders, in dark blue, red, green, white and gilt, edged with powder-blue and incorporating cruciform cartouches with circular reserves enamelled to one side with three-colour Cyrillic monogram, the opposite side with vacant reserve, the bases with cut-out Pan-Slavic border, gilt interiors, stylised crown finials, mother-of-pearl insulators to teapot, fluted angular handles, silver-gilt kettle-stand with pierced geometric scroll-work decoration.
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56 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver Samovar Khlebnikov, Moscow reference number: RS_071 silver height: 46.5 cm maker’s mark: Khlebnikov in Cyrillic with Imperial warrant mark under the base and on the tray assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials M.F. of Mikhail Faleev assay mark of Moscow, 1896 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Large silver samovar of urn shape on square base, with gadrooned decor, spout modelled as a bird, and bone handles and knobs.
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58 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver Samovar Yakov Wiberg, Moscow reference number: RS_070 1828 silver height: 49.5 cm maker’s mark: Wiberg by Yakov Wiberg assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials N.D. of Nikolai Dubrovin assay mark of Moscow, 1828 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Large silver samovar of urn shape, chased and repoussé throughout with swirling gadroons, with scroll handles and knobs, standing on a concave sided base with projecting corners over four paw feet. Together with a tray and a waste bowl.
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60 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver-Gilt Presentation Cup and Cover Alexander Kordes, St.Petersburg reference number: RS_009 1863 silver-gilt height 48.8 cm maker’s mark: Kordes assay master’s mark: Cyrillic E.B. of Edvard Brandenburg assay mark of St.Petersburg, 1863 silver standard: 84 zolotnik Provenance Sotheby’s London, 10 May 2000, Sale L00130, lot 234
Silver-gilt cup and cover of Neo-Renaissance design. The cup of baluster shape stands on domed foot, the domed cover is surmounted by a statuette of a lady emblematic of the city of Reval, wearing armor leaning on a shield with cross and an anchor. The body of the cup is chased with scrolling foliage and four cartouches inscribed in German: “To their Alderman Karl Ferdinand Gahlinbeck / at the occasion of his silver wedding anniversary May 18, 1863 / presented in grateful attitude / from the great Guild of Brewers in Reval”.
Alexander Kordes Alexander Kordes (1824-1868) - Russian 19th century silversmith and jeweller. Born in Riga, apprenticed in St.Petersburg in 1824, master in 1829, from 1839 executed orders for the Imperial Cabinet, owner of a workshop and store, had many apprentices and worked until 1874. Since 1840 the official Russian Imperial Court Jeweller.
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62 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Pair of Imperial Silver Tea Glass Holders with Tea Spoons Grachev Brothers, Moscow reference number: RS_023 circa 1900 silver height: 8.6 cm each maker’s mark: Cyrillic BR. GRACHEV assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials Ya.L. of Yakov Lyapunov silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Grachev Brothers The firm of Grachev was founded in St.Petersburg in 1866 by silversmith Gavriil Petrovich Grachev. Upon his death in 1873, the business passed on to his numerous sons and became known as the Grachev Brothers. The firm participated in various Russian and international fairs, including a Copenhagen exhibition in 1888 and the Columbian Exposition in Chicago
five year later and received prizes. In 1892, twenty nine year old Mikhail Gavrilovich Grachev was named valuer to the Russian Imperial Cabinet; that same year, the firm received the title of Imperial Court Supplier and were permitted to use the Imperial Warrant or double-headed eagle as part of its hallmark. The business closed in March 1918.
A pair of Imperial Russian silver tea glass holders of openwork form with fluted D-shaped handles flanked by wirework scrolls, on four openwork feet, the front with Cyrillic cipher VA for Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich (1847-1909) below an applied crown and ribbons, the spoons with bifurcated openwork stems capped by crown finials. Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich (1847-1909) was the fourth child and third son of Tsar Alexander II and a younger brother of Tsar Alexander III. Vladimir Alexandrovich had a successful career in the army, occupied several important military positions during the reigns of three Russian emperors. He was also a member of the State Council, president of the Imperial Academy of Arts and honorary member of the Imperial Academy of Sciences. Vladimir Alexandrovich was married to Maria Pavlovna, née Duchess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, celebrated for her exquisite collection of jewellery.
Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich and Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna www.ruzhnikov.com • 63
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64 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Important Imperial Presentation Parcel-Gilt Silver Punch Set Grachev Brothers, Moscow reference number: RS_044 circa 1900 silver, silver-gilt big kovsh: width 53.5 cm, height 27 cm; small kovshes: width 12.5 cm, height 5.5 cm; overall weight 6,660 gr maker’s mark: Imperial Warrant mark of Grachev Brothers assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials Y.L. of Yakov Lyapunov assay mark of St.Petersburg, 1899-1903 silver standard: 84 zolotnik contained in original fitted case Provenance Rear Admiral of the U.S. Navy Charles Henry Davis, Jr. (1845-1921), gift of the Russian Imperial cabinet Thence by descent
This set is produced by Grachev Brothers, one of the leading Russian jewellery firms of the latter part of the nineteenth century, a purveyor to the Imperial Court. It comprises a large punch bowl of kovsh form modelled as a stylised Viking longship set on a large oval stand with raised centre together with twelve conforming kovshi and a punch ladle with chased flat handle decorated with geometric design and terminating in a spherical bowl with a pouring lip. The set is contained in the original fitted oak case with dark red satin and velvet interior, the inside cover is stamped with the Grachev firm’s trademark. The exterior of the case’s cover is mounted with a small brass Russian Imperial double-headed eagle.
The set was presented to Rear Admiral of the U.S. Navy Charles Henry Davis, Jr. (1845 - 1921) by the Russian Imperial cabinet in gratitude for his diplomatic efforts to resolve an incident between Russia and Britain during the Russo-Japanese war (1904 - 1905). Charles Henry Davis, Jr. was born in 1845, in Cambridge. His father was also a Rear Admiral (with the same name) in the Navy and had a distinguished career on the high seas. Between 1861 - 1864, Davis Jr. studied at the US Navy Academy at Newport, Rhode Island. After his graduation he served at various stations and duties, advancing quickly through the ranks, so that by 1905 he was elevated to Rear Admiral. The Admiral got drawn into the sphere of international politics in 1904 with the so called Dogger Bank Incident.
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66 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
On October 21, 1904, elements of the Russian Baltic Fleet were in the vicinity of Dogger Bank, a sandbank in the North Sea, some 60 miles off the coast of England. Their destination was the Far East, where they were to support their country’s efforts in the ten-month old Russo-Japanese War. A series of mishaps led to a deeply unfortunate event. The Russians’ nerves were made jumpy by erroneous reports of Japanese torpedo boats and submarines in the area and they were under orders to allow no ships of any kind to infiltrate the fleet. The evening of the 21st, the captain of the supply ship Kamchatka mistook a Swedish vessel for a Japanese torpedo boat, and sent a radio message that he was under attack. Later in the evening, mistaking harmless British fishing trawlers for their enemy, the Russians opened fire on a cluster of about 30 civilian boats. Several British sailors perished and still more were wounded; one died of his wounds months later. The British trawler Crane was sunk.
Davis’s part in resolving the crisis received high acclaim: at home he was commended in Congress and praised by President Roosevelt. The appreciation of the Russian and British Governments were shown to Davis through their respective gifts. Russia’s gift via their Ambassador is very traditional and emblematic of the sea. It epitomises the quality of Russian craftsmanship and is wonderfully presented in the original fitted case. Special dispensation had to be granted from the American Government to enable Davis to accept the gifts and retain them as his personal property.
The incident created a major crisis in Russo-British relations: the British were naturally outraged, the Russians were savaged in the British press as pirates, and the Russian naval command was reviled for not even leaving lifeboats for the British upon whom they had mistakenly fired. A war between the two countries was prevented due to US diplomatic efforts undertaken by Admiral Davis. Davis entered a special international commission of enquiry which sat in Paris in February 1905. Only through his patience, delicacy and inspired diplomacy was the situation prevented from escalating worldwide.
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Set of Twelve Imperial Silver Plates Nicholls & Plinke, St.Petersburg reference number: RS_013 1840 silver maker’s initials: Latin N&P of Nichols and Plinke workmaster’s mark: Latin initials H.A.L. of Henrik August Lang assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials D.T. of Dmitry Tverskoy assay mark of St.Petersburg, 1840 silver standard: 84 zolotnik 68 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
The service was made for Grand Duchess Olga Nicholayevna, daughter of Tsar Nicholas I, on the occasion of her wedding to Crown Prince Karl of Wurttemberg, later King of Wurttemberg.
Nicholls & Plinke Charles (Constantin) Nicholls and William Plincke - owners of a large firm of silversmiths in St.Petersburg, active between 1829 and 1898. Throughout 1840–70’s Nicholls & Plinke were main supplier of silverware to the Russian Imperial court. They collaborated with many British workshops and such local masters as Carl Tegelsten, Samuel Arndt, Henrik August Lang and Emil Friedrich Henrichsen.
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70 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver Figural Candlestick Bolin, Moscow Reference number: RS_021 circa 1895 silver height: 18 cm; weight: 1798 gr maker’s mark: Latin BOLIN in full and stamped W.A.BOLIN, MOSCOU silver standard: 88 zolotnik signed Joseph Chéret
Modelled as two naked young girls staring ahead in awe, on an openwork leafy base, the candle-holder at front formed as a rock. The model was created by the French art nouveau sculptor Gustave-Joseph Chéret (1838-1894).
Bolin Bolin is the oldest family of jewellers still in business today. Founded by the Swedish entrepreneur, Carl Edvard Bolin in St.Petersburg who became Court Jeweller to the Tsar of Russia in the 1830’s. The firm had premises in Moscow, specialising in silver, and in St.Petersburg, where jewellery was produced. After the death of Carl Edvard in 1864 and of Henrik Conrad in 1888, their sons Gustav, Edward and Wilhelm continued the business. Bolin were the leading jewellers in St.Petersburg in the mid-19th century and major competitors of Fabergé.
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72 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver-Gilt and Enamel Tazza Eleventh Artel, Moscow reference number: RE_012 circa 1910 silver-gilt, enamel height: 18.4 cm maker’s mark: 11th Moscow Artel assay mark of Moscow, 1908-1917 silver standard: 84 zolotnik Exhibitions Wilmington, Delaware, Riverfront Arts Centre, Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, 2000-2001, no. 82, illustrated in colour p. 78 Bibliography G. von Habsburg, Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, London, 2000, no. 82, p. 78, illustrated in colour
Silver-gilt tazza with baluster stem, enamelled with colourful stylised foliage on a gilded stippled ground, the rim is decorated with plique-à-jour enamel.
Eleventh Artel Moscow jewellery firm, active between 1908 and 1917, producing small enamel objects influenced by the Art Nouveau style, combining triangular and rectangular cells with spirals and volutes and often traditional floral motifs. The Eleventh Artel specialised in a soft watercolour-like style in its enamel colours. Despite the beauty of their works, very little is known about the actual members of the various artels.
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74 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver-Gilt and Enamel Lobed Bowl Maria Semenova, Moscow reference number: RE_003 circa 1910 silver-gilt, enamel diameter: 16 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic initials M.S. of Maria Semenova assay mark of Moscow 1908-1917 silver standard: 88 zolotnik
Lobed silver-gilt and shaded cloisonné enamel bowl with three ball feet and swing handle, decorated with large sprays of stylised flowers mainly in pink, blue and green colours on pale-yellow ground, the exterior with similar flowers on stippled gilt ground, the cavetto with a stylised double-headed eagle on turquoise ground. A bowl of similar design is in the collection the Hillwood Museum in Washington, DC.
Maria Semenova Maria Vasiliyevna Semenova (active 1896-1917) - important Russian silversmith and enameller, daughter of Vasiliy Semenov, well-known specialist in niello wares. Upon her father’s death in 1896 she took over her father’s workshop and successfully ran the business until 1904. Wares by her firm are to be found in all major collections including the State Historical Museum, Moscow and the Hillwood Museum. www.ruzhnikov.com • 75
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76 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver-Gilt and Enamel Vodka Set on a Tray reference number: RE_007 circa 1900 silver-gilt, enamel length of tray: 23 cm maker’s mark: Cyrilic initials M.S. of Maria Semenova assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.L. of Ivan Lebedkin assay mark of Moscow, 1899-1908 Exhibitions Wilmington, Delaware, Riverfront Arts Centre, Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, 9 Sept 2000 - 18 Feb 2001, No. 79 Bibliography G. von Habsburg, Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, London, 2000, no. 79, p. 77, illustrated in colour
Set of twelve silver-gilt and shaded cloisonné enamel beakers and their tray decorated with pastel coloured foliage on gilt stippled ground.
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Silver and Enamel Purse Maria Adler, Moscow reference number: RE_008 1876 silver-gilt, enamel length: 8 cm maker’s mark of Maria Adler assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials V.S. of Victor Savinkov assay mark of Moscow, 1876 silver standard: 88 zolotnik
Enamelled silver purse, the cover with an en plein enamel posy of flowers including roses, poppies, convolvulus, and foxgloves, the reverse with dark-blue champlevé decoration enclosing engraved monogram “B”, further inscribed in Russian: “From I. and K. Kovrigin, January 9, 1880.” Maria Adler The merchant Maria Adler was active as jeweler, goldsmith and silversmith between 1879 and 1882.
Silver-Gilt and Enamel Bowl attributed to Maria Semenova, Moscow reference number: RE_015 circa 1900 silver-gilt, enamel height: 5 cm; diameter: 10 cm maker’s mark: indistinct, possibly Maria Semenova assay master’s mark: indistinct, probably Cyrillic I.L. for Ivan Lebedkin assay’s mark of Moscow, between 1899-1908 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Squat circular bowl with lobed sides and gilt interior, narrow ropework borders, the sides with shaded polychrome enamel stylised flowers and foliage on turquoise ground with drop-shaped panels of flowers on alternate mint-green and flesh-pink grounds.
78 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver-Gilt and Enamel Cutlery Set Maria Semenova, Moscow reference number: RЕ_022 circa 1900 silver-gilt, enamel length of knife 25 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic initials M.S. initials of Maria Semenova assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials Ya.L. of Yakov Lyapunov assay mark of Moscow, 1899-1908 Exhibitions Wilmington, Delaware, Riverfront Arts Centre, Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, 2000-2001, no. 80, illustrated in colour p. 78 Bibliography G. von Habsburg, Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, London, 2000, no. 80, p. 78, illustrated in colour
Silver-gilt and shaded cloisonné enamel set of cutlery comprising knife, fork and spoon, each decorated with a stylised double-headed eagle in pink and white hues on lime green grounds with turquoise pellet borders.
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Silver-Gilt and Enamel Cigarette Case Maria Semenova, Moscow reference number: RE_032 1910’s silver, enamel length: 95 cm master’s mark: Cyrillic initials M.S. of Maria Semenova assay mark of Moscow, 1908-1917 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Silver-gilt and shaded cloisonné enamel cigarette case with shaped panels of scrolling flowers and foliage mainly in pink, blue and green hues on cream or olive ground. The inscription on the interior reads: “To my dear father, Mikhail”.
80 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver-Gilt and Enamel Cigarette Case reference number: RE_048 1910’s silver length: 9.5 cm assay’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.L. of Ivan Lebedkin assay mark of Moscow, 19081917 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Silver-gilt and shaded cloisonné enamel cigarette case decorated with scrolling flowers and foliage in pinkish hues on a dark olive-green ground with blue leaf and white pellet borders.
Silver-Gilt and Enamel Cigarette Case Sergey Shaposhnikov, Moscow reference number: RE_063 1900’s silver, enamel height: 9.7 cm master’s mark: Cyrillic initials S.Sh.for Sergey Shaposhnikov assay’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.L. for Ivan Lebedkin assay mark of Moscow, 1898-1908 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Silver-gilt cigarette case with stippled ground surface, decorated with polychrome shaded cloisonné enamel foliate design, rims decorated with turquoise beading, with silver push piece.
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Silver-Gilt and Enamel Cigarette Case Ivan Saltykov, Moscow reference number: RE_024 1900’s silver-gilt, enamel length: 9.5 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.S. of Ivan Saltykov assay mark of Moscow, 1899-1908 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Silver-gilt and shaded cloisonné enamel cigarette case decorated with stylised foliage in mainly blue, green, red, and pink hues on cream ground, with turquoise pellet borders. Ivan Saltykov Ivan Saltykov - owner of a factory from 1884, maker of high quality enamel wares.
Silver-Gilt and Enamel Cigarette Case Ivan Saltykov, Moscow reference number: RE_025 circa 1900 length: 9.5 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.S. of Ivan Saltykov assay mark of Moscow 1899-1908 silver standard: 84 zolotnik Provenance Sotheby’s New York, 11 June 1998, Sale 7150, lot 294
The cover finely enamelled en plein with flowers on a pale blue ground, the base enamelled with colourful scrolling foliage.
82 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver-Gilt and Enamel Cigarette Case Ivan Saltykov, Moscow reference number: RE_026 1896 silver length: 9.3 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.S. of Ivan Saltykov assay’s mark: Cyrillic initials L.O. of Lev Oleks assay mark of Moscow, 1896 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Silver-gilt and shaded cloisonné enamel cigarette case with scrolling stylised foliage on stippled gilt ground, turquoise enamel central reserve, and white enamel pellet border.
Silver-Gilt and Enamel Cigar Case Ivan Saltykov, Moscow reference number: RE_031 1896 silver, enamel length: 12.5 cm master’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.S. of Ivan Saltykov assay’s mark: Cyrillic initials L.O. of Lev Oleks assay mark of Moscow, 1896 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Silver-guild cigar hinged case with a silver push piece. Exterior on stippled ground decorated with shaded cloisonné enamel in oval reserves, containing foliate pattern with stylised birds, surrounded with turquoisecolour enamel field, with white beading under the rim. The piece was retailed by Fabergé (Moscow Imperial Warrant mark of Fabergé is on the lip of the case, next to the push piece).
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84 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver-Gilt and Enamel Platter Ivan Saltykov, Moscow reference number: RE_069 1896 silver, enamel diameter: 29.3 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.S. of Ivan Saltykov assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials A.A of unidentified master assay mark of Moscow,1896 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Circular, the centre with textured octofoil silver-gilt panel decorated with shaded polychrome enamel flowers and foliage in pink, red, green and shades of blue encircled by a turquoise ground embellished with scrolling gilt cloisons, the rim conforming to the central panel and edged with white bead borders, the silver underside inscribed in Russian around the rim with presentation “To Pavel Vasilievich Popov from the Peasant Society of the village of Karadzha” (Karadzha was a small village in the Crimea).
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86 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver-Gilt and Enamel Tea Set Retailed by Fabergé Ivan Saltykov for Fabergé, Moscow reference number: RE_062 1900’s silver-gilt, enamel height of teapot: 13 cm; length of spoon: 11.3 cm each master’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.S. of Ivan Saltykov assay’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.L. of Ivan Lebedkin assay mark of Moscow, 1889-1908 silver standard: 84 zolotnik Fabergé inventory number 11541 contained in original fitted case
20 piece silver-gilt tea set comprising teapot, sugar bowl, creamer, 12 teaspoons, teas strainer, lemon fork, sugar tongs, and a sugar shovel. Silver-gild on stippled ground, decorated in multicoloured shaded cloisonné enamel with floral pattern. Contained in the original hinged oak fitted case, lined with satin and velvet. Stamped with the Fabergé trademark on the inside of the lid with the Imperial warrant.
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88 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
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90 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver-Gilt and Enamel Tea Set Retailed by Fabergé Ivan Saltykov for Fabergé, Moscow reference number: RE_066 circa 1900 silver-gilt, enamel, mother-of-pearl height of teapot 14 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.S. of Ivan Saltykov assay mark of Moscow, 1899-1908 silver standard: 84 zolotnik Fabergé inventory number 11367 Provenance Sotheby’s New York, 5 December 1997, Sale 7067, lot 505
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92 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
The set comprises seven pieces: teapot, covered sugar bowl, cream jug, sugar sifter spoon, lemon fork, caddy spoon, and sugar tongs. All are contained in original wooden box, the cover lined with oyster silk printed with retailer’s details, ‘K. Fabergé, MOSCOW, S.PETERSBURG’ in Cyrillic letters with Imperial Warrant above, the body of the box lined in dark red velvet with matching silk in the recesses. The pieces are of squat ovoid form with shaded polychrome cloisonné enamel eagles amidst profuse foliage and flowers in pink, green, yellow, foiled red, and shades of blue on a cream ground, edged with turquoise enamel bead borders, mother-of-pearl insulators, and finials, richly gilt interiors.
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Silver-Gilt and Enamel Cigarette Case Andrey Bragin, St.Petersburg reference number: RE_030 1890’s silver-gilt, enamel length: 9.7 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic initials A.B. of Andrey Bragin assay mark of St.Petersburg, before 1899 silver standard: 88 zolotnik
Oblong silver-gilt basket-weave and champlevé enamel cigarette case with rounded corners, the cover is chased with a trompe l’oeil band partially enamelled in blue, inscribed in Russian: “Papirosi” and decorated with doubleheaded eagle; the interior is engraved with crowned monogram ‘BT’ in Cyrillic.
Andrey Bragin Andrey Stepanovich Bragin - Russian silversmith, active from 1852. In 1888 became an owner of a workshop at Spassky lane no. 4 in St.Petersburg employing 25 craftsmen in 1897. Examples of his work are in the collection of the State Historical Museum in Moscow. 94 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver-Gilt and Enamel Cigar Case Andrey Bragin, St.Petersburg reference number: RE_034 1890’s silver, enamel length: 12 cm master’s mark: Cyrillic initials A.B. of Andrey Bragin assay mark of St.Petersburg, before 1899 silver standard: 88 zolotnik
Exhibitions Wilmington, Delaware, Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, 9 Sept 2000 - 18 Feb 2001, no. 45 Bibliography G. von Habsburg, A. von Solodkoff, Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, London, 2000, no. 45, p. 68, illustrated in colour
Silver and champlevé enamel cigar case with the polychrome decoration imitating peasant embroidery. In the late 1870’s and throughout the 1880’s, porcelain painters, silversmiths and enamellers were inspired by folk motifs transmitted through the publication of Fyodor Solntsev’s Antiquities of the Russian State published in the 1850’s.
Silver-Gilt and Enamel Cigar Case Andrey Bragin, St.Petersburg reference number: RE_036 1890’s silver-gilt, enamel length: 10.2 cm master’s mark: Cyrillic initials A.B. of Andrey Bragin assay mark of St.Petersburg, before 1899 silver standard: 88 zolotnik
Burnished silver-gilt cigar case decorated with coloured bands of champlevé enamel simulating embroidered cloth, the cover applied with facsimile signature: “Moisei”.
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96 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver Imperial Presentation Racing Trophy Odessa reference number: RS_011 1843 height: 35.6 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic initials illegible assay master: Cyrillic initials A.Sh. of unidentified master assay mark of Odessa, 1843 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
A vase with an identical equestrian scene made by A. Lordon is in the State Russian Museum in St.Petersburg (see Treasure Storeroom of the Russian Museum. Commemorating 100 years of the Museum 1898-1998, St.Petersburg, 1998, No., 191, ill. 178). Another vase also by Lordon has an identical handle (op. cit. fig. 172, cat. 203). These were made in Odessa respectively in 1838 and 1843.
A large silver Imperial presentation racing trophy jug, chased on one side with an equestrian scene, and with the crowned Imperial coat-of-arms and Russian Orthodox cross on the other; the body is profusely chased with NeoRococo scrolls, flowers and shells. The double scroll handle has a finial shaped as a figure of a horse issuing from a flower calyx.
Silver Imperial Presentation Racing Trophy, 1843 A. Lordon State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg www.ruzhnikov.com • 97
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98 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver and Niello Tea Set Frolov Brothers, Moscow reference number: RS_008 circa 1896 nielloed silver length of the basket: 22.8 cm; total weight: 2784 gr maker’s mark: Latin initials S.L. of unidentified master assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials L.O. of Lev Oleks assay mark of Moscow, 1896 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
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Silver and niello 9-piece tea-set, comprising tea-pot, hot-water pot, creamer, sugar bowl with lid and tongs, cake-basket, strainer, lemon-fork and sugar-shovel. Each piece is decorated with swirling foliage, a crescent and a flower-head. Silver tea set with main pieces of rectangular form with corners cut at 45 degrees angles. Lids of teapot, coffee pot, and sugar basket with mother-ofpearl knobs. Contained in a large original oak fitted hinged lockable case, lined with dark blue velvet and satin, with retailer’s stamp ‘Trading House D. P. M. Frolov, established in 1788’.
100 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
The Frolov Brothers The Frolov Brothers were one of the major retailers and workshops in Moscow. The lid is applied with a brass plaque inscribed in English: ‘From Captain and Officers of the USS St. Louis’.
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Pair of Silver-Gilt and Niello Liturgical Plates Dmitry Shelaputin, Moscow reference number: RS_031 second half of the 19th century diameters: 17.7 cm & 16.3 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic initials D.Sh. of Dmitry Shelaputin workmaster’s mark: Cyrillic initials V.P. of unidentified master assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials V.S. of Viktor Savinkov assay mark of Moscow, 1855-1888 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Pair of nielloed parcelgilt silver liturgical plates, the centres decorated and inscribed with the scenes of the Resurrection and the Annunciation. Each cavetto bears three liturgical inscriptions in Old Slavonic within cartouches, surrounded by scrolls and alternating with Seraphs.
Dmitry Shelaputin Dmitry Maksimovich Shelaputin Russian 19th century silversmith. Founded a workshop in 1870 known until 1914.
102 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
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Pair of Silver-Gilt and Niello Champagne Flutes reference number: RS_026 1839 & 1840’s silver-gilt height: 16 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic initials A.K. of unknown maker (1); Cyrillic initials P.I. of unknown maker (2) assay master’s mark: illegible (1); Cyrillic initials A.K. of Anton Kovalsky (2) assay mark of Moscow (2) silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Two silver-gilt and niello slender champagne flutes, both with oval reserves, surrounded with foliate design on stippled ground. One with St.George slaying the dragon on the one side and sailboat on the other. Base is decorated with triangular design. Dated 1839 with the maker’s mark ‘AK’ for an unknown maker. Assay mark is indiscernible. The other flute’s oval reserve contains a draped female figure on one side, and another with the cityscape. Produced in the 1840’s. Maker’s mark is PI for an unknown maker. Assay’s mark is AK for Anton Kovalsky.
104 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Pair of Silver-Gilt and Niello Champagne Flutes reference number: RS_025 1834 silver-gilt height: 17 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic initials A.K. of unknown maker assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials N.D. of Nikolai Dubrovin assay mark of Moscow, 1834 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Two silver-gilt niello slender champagne flutes. One with oval reserves, surrounded with foliate design on stippled ground. One side depicts two men, one seated, reminiscent of Minin and Pozharsky; the other side is decorated with architectural background. Base is decorated with circular architectural design. The other flute’s surface depicts two equestrian galloping officers and a fortress on stippled ground. The upper part of the cup is with a band decorated with city scape. Base is decorated with circular architectural design.
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Silver-Gilt and Enamel Cigarette Case Lyubavin, Moscow reference number: RE_039 1890’s silver-gilt, enamel length: 9.2 cm maker’s mark: Imperial Warrant mark of Lyubavin assay mark of Moscow, before 1899 silver standard: 84 zolotnik Exhibitions Wilmington, Delaware, Riverfront Arts Centre, Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, 9 Sept 2000 - 18 Feb 2001, No. 49 Bibliography G. von Habsburg, Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, London, 2000, no. 49, p. 69, illustrated in colour
Silver-gilt, plique-à-jour and cloisonné enamel cigarette case decorated on both sides with Russian Imperial double-headed eagle in plique-a-jour enamel, surrounded by polychrome scrolling foliage on stippled ground.
Lyubavin Alexander Benediktovich Lyubavin silversmith and enameller. Since 1850’s Lyubavin ran a small shop at the Silver Trade Rows along Nevsky Prospekt in St.Petersburg. In 1893, he bought the factory of F. Heinrichsen at Grafsky lane 2. In 1907, the enterprise passed to his son, Nikolai Alexandrovich Lyubavin. The firm gained several prestigious awards, including Gold Medals at the Fairs in Nizhni Novgorod in 1896 and Stockholm in 1897. 106 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver-Gilt and Enamel Cigarette Case reference number: RE_047 circa 1910 silver length: 10.7 cm maker’s mark: initials in Cyrillic PiK assay mark of St.Petersburg, 1908-1917 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Silver-gilt cigarette case, both sides similarly decorated with cloisonné enamel scrolling foliage on bright blue ground within a border of white beading, centred with stylised black double-headed eagles with spread-out wings and shields with colourful enamel pattern.
Silver-Gilt and Enamel Egg-shaped Box reference number: RE_002 circa 1900 silver, silver-gilt, enamel length: 5 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic initials P.M. of unidentified master assay master’s mark: indistinct assay mark of Moscow, 18991908 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Silver-gilt hinged miniature box modelled as an egg with amethyst push piece. The entire surface with shaded cloisonné enamel, rim with light green beading.
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Silver-Gilt and Enamel Trunk-shaped Box Fyodor Mishukov, Moscow reference number: RE_004 circa 1900 silver-gilt, enamel length: 10.7 cm; height: 6.5 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic initials M.F. of Fyodor Mishukov assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.L. of Ivan Lebedkin assay mark of Moscow, 1899-1908 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Silver-gilt hinged trunk on bracket feet with swivel handles and a swivel latch. The entire body of the trunk is decorated with shaded cloisonné enamel in floral and foliate pattern on cream ground.
108 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver-Gilt and Enamel Beaker Fyodor Mishukov, Moscow reference number: RE_013 1900’s silver-gilt, enamel height: 12 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic initials M.F. of Fyodor Mishukov assay master’s mark: Ivan Lebedkin assay mark of Moscow, 18991908 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Silver-gilt and shaded cloisonné enamel tapering cylindrical beaker decorated with stylised flowers and foliage in pastel hues on cream ground.
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Silver Cigarette Case with Gold and Enamel Monogram St.Petersburg reference number: RS_038 1890’s silver length: 9 cm master’s mark: initials M.I. in Cyrillic, possibly for M.Ivanov assay mark of St.Petersburg, prior to 1896 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Silver cigarette case with gilt interior, the rounded body of the case is divided into four equal sections of bee-hive and reeded design, the lid is set with a gold crowned monogram with intertwined Cyrillic ‘GA’ decorated with red guilloché enamel.
Silver-Gilt Bowl Gabriel Sontag, Moscow reference number: RS_027 3rd quarter of the 18th century silver, silver-gilt height: 7.8 cm; diameter: 18 cm; weight: 589 gr maker’s mark: Latin Initials G.S. of Gabriel Sontag
The silver-gilt bowl of heavy gauge by Gabriel Sontag (active 17471780), embossed with fruit between three scroll-edged silver cartouches, depicting respectively a small building on a hill with tree in foreground, a man fishing beside an overhanging tree with marble columns to one side and two men in a boat with trees to left. Gilt interior, base engraved with monogram of the owner and a large zig-zag assay scrape. 110 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver Cigarette Case with Gold Double-Headed Eagle Gabriel Niukkanen, St.Petersburg reference number: RS_037 1910’s silver, gold length: 9.8 cm master’s mark: Latin initials G.N. of Gabriel Niukkanen assay mark of St.Petersburg, 1908-1917 silver standard: 84 zolotnik Exhibitions Wilmington, Delaware, Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, 9 Sept 2000 - 18 Feb 2001, no. 74 Bibliography G. von Habsburg, A. von Solodkoff, Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, London, 2000, no. 747, p. 290, illustrated in colour
Gold-mounted silver Imperial presentation cigarette case, decorated with tapering flutes on either side, applied with a gold double-headed eagle, with gold-mounted cabochon sapphire thumb-piece. Gabriel Niukkanen Gabriel Niukkanen (Nykänen) ran an independent goldsmithing workshop between 1898 and 1912, acting as an occasional supplier to Fabergé. Niukkanen was best known for his production of fine gold and silver cigarette cases, many of which were made as Imperial presentation pieces.
Silver-Gilt Cigar Case Konstantin Skvortsov, Moscow reference number: RS_030 1910’s silver length: 13.8 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic initials K.S. of Konstantin Skvortsov assay mark of Moscow, 1908-1917 silver standard: 84 zolotnik Provenance Sotheby’s New York, 13 December 1991, lot 193
Silver cigar case with a cabochon-cut blue stone pushpiece. The case is repoussé and chased with a scene of the Baba Yaga tale: a troika and two peasants proceeding through a forest in midst of a witches’ Sabbath, surrounded by demons, Baba Yaga on a broom, and an owl. www.ruzhnikov.com • 111
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Silver Signature Presentation Cigarette Case Grigoriy Andreyev, St.Petersburg reference number: RS_035 1890’s silver length: 9.6 cm maker’s mark: Grigoriy Andreyev assay mark of St.Petersburg, before 1899 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Silver signature cigarette case, the cover applied with three monograms, two crowned, the reverse centrally applied with insignia of the Horse Guard Regiment (gold crowned double-headed eagle), with two gold monograms, facsimile signatures “Schmid” and, “Shevle” and “Nyetochka (I don’t want)” in Cyrillic.
Grigoriy Andreyev Grigoriy Arsenievich Andreyev was active between 1858 and 1898. A cigarette case by Andreyev is in the State Historical Museum, Moscow. 112 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver Signature Presentation Cigarette Case reference number: RS_059 1890’s silver, gold, enamel length: 9.3 cm maker’s mark: illegible assay mark of St.Petersburg, before 1899 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Silver signature cigarette case, the cover applied with four monograms, five signatures in Cyrillic: Vl.Vitkevich, Dolgovo-Saburov, Nadya, Leontyev and A.Voronin and an enamelled nine of diamonds with a description in French en tout temps bonne chance – all in gold, the reverse with a Russian imperial crown, a horse shoe with a cabochon sapphire, three coats-of-arms, an elephant and signatures - all in gold, the front panel with To My Dear Friend, the side with V.Redchenkov. Inside the case is inscribed in Russian From Officers of the Erevan Regiment to L.M.Machutadze, July 13, 1898, uroch. Manglis. (stationed near Tiflis, now Tbilisi).
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114 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver-Gilt Set of Fourteen Spoons reference number: RE_014 1910’s silver, enamel length: 14 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic initials Zh.N. of unidentified master assay’s mark of Moscow, 1908-1917 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Set of twelve silver-gilt and shaded cloisonné enamel tea spoons and two serving spoons en suite each with pastelcoloured flowers and foliage on pale-green ground within aubergine borders. Original fitted wooden case stamped ‘Partnership Pavel and Fyodor Markov, Moscow, Cherkasski Pereulok, Obshchestvenny Dvor no. 5, tel. no. 47-21’.
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Silver-Gilt and Niello Snuff Box reference number: RS_048 1845 silver-gilt length: 9.9 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic initials A.N. of unidentified master assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials A.K. of Andrey Kovalsky assay mark of Moscow, 1845 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Nielloed silver snuff-box. The composition on the cover shows a man contemplating Alexander Pushkin’s grave: the cross is inscribed in Cyrillic with the poet’s name; the borders of cover, sides and base are decorated with dense rocaille foliage.
Silver-Gilt and Niello Snuff Box reference number: RS_049 1820 silver-gilt length: 8.3 cm maker’s mark: illegible assay’s mark: Cyrillic initials M.K. of Mikhail Karpinsky assay mark of Moscow, 1820 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Nielloed silver-gilt snuff-box, the cover is decorated with a figure emblematic of Victory in a rural setting, within a border of lozenges, the reverse with another Trophy of Arms, the sides are with architectural vignettes.
116 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver-Gilt and Niello Snuff Box Ivan Kaltikov, Moscow reference number: RS_050 1834 silver-gilt length: 8.5 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.K. of Ivan Kaltikov assay’s mark: Cyrillic initials N.D. of Nikolai Dubrovin assay mark of Moscow, 1834 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Nielloed silver-gilt snuff-box with a running stag in a landscape; the reverse is decorated with a cityscape.
Silver-Gilt and Niello Snuff Box reference number: RS_051 1850’s silver-gilt length: 9.9 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic initials F.V. of unidentified maker assay’s mark: Cyrillic initials A.K. of Andrey Kovalsky assay mark of Moscow, 185(?) silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Cartouche-shaped nielloed silver-gilt snuff-box decorated overall with scrolling foliage and with richly-gilt interior.
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Silver-Gilt and Niello Snuff Box reference number: RS_052 late 18th century silver-gilt diameter: 8.3 cm assay mark of Moscow silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Circular silver-gilt snuff-box with a detachable lid. The centre of the lid is decorated with a gallant scene with two ladies and a man carrying flower baskets. The scene is surrounded with machine tooled pattern and a repetitive entrelac borders. In the centre of the reverse is a view of ancient ruins, the rest is similarly decorated; the sides with architectural vignettes.
Silver-Gilt and Niello Snuff Box reference number: RS_042 silver-gilt diameter: 8.6 cm master’s mark: Cyrillic initials F.Z. of unidentified master assay’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.V. of Ivan Vikhliaev assay mark of Moscow, 1810 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Silver-gilt and niello circular bonbonnière, the cover is decorated with a gallant scene in Rococo style. The lovers are depicted in a landscape with ruins, with two sheeps at their feet. The reverse shows two winged putti holding a wreath containing a monogram ‘AIM’, the border is decorated with architectural vignettes. 118 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver-Gilt and Niello Snuff Box T. Botkov, Moscow reference number: RS_053 1854 silver length: 8.5 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic initials T.B. of T. Botkov assay’s mark: Cyrillic initials A.K. of Andrey Kovalsky assay mark of Moscow, 1854 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Nielloed silver-gilt snuff-box, the cover is decorated with a view of the Moscow Kremlin within a border of scrolls, the reverse and the sides with a chequered pattern. A similar snuff-box by Botkov is in the collection of the State Historical Museum in Moscow.
Silver-Gilt and Niello Snuff Box reference number: RS_054 silver length: 10.6 cm maker’s mark: illegible assay’s mark: Cyrillic initials V.S. of Viktor Savinkov assay mark of Moscow, 1854 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Oblong nielloed silver snuffbox, on the cover is a view of the Moscow Kremlin in an oval medallion. Rest of box is decorated with a chequered design with cartouches in the middle of the longer sides.
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Silver-Gilt and Niello Cigar Case reference number: RS_055 silver length: 14 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic initials F.V. of unidentified master assay’s mark: Cyrillic initials D.T. of Dmitry Tverskoy assay mark of Moscow, circa 1850 silver standard: 84 zolotnik French import marks
Rectangular silver-gilt and niello hinged cigar case, the interior is mounted with a match compartment and a strike plate. The cover is decorated with a view of the Moscow Kremlin over a sunburst background, the reverse is decorated with floral scrollwork.
120 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver-Gilt and Niello Cigar Case reference number: RS_056 circa 1850 silver length: 14.3 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic initials F.V. of unidentified master assay mark of Moscow silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Silver-gilt and niello hinged ladies minaudière with indented sides, on the cover is an extensive view of the Moscow Kremlin over a sunburst background. Inside is a pink silk moiré lining with compartments and a notebook. Back side is decorated with a floral motif.
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Silver-Gilt and Niello Cigar Case Gustav Klingert, Moscow reference number: RS_057 silver length: 11.9 cm maker’s mark: Latin initials G.K. of Gustav Klingert assay’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.L. of Ivan Lebedkin assay mark of Moscow, 1899-1908 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Nielloed silver cigar case, the cover with a troika in a winter landscape in an oval reserve, surrounded by dense scrolling foliage.
Silver-Gilt and Niello Cigar Case Dmitry Gubkin, Moscow reference number: RS_042 1870 silver length: 13.5 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic initials of D.I. of Dmitry Gubkin assay’s mark: Cyrillic initials V.S. of Viktor Savinkov assay mark of Moscow, 1870 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Nielloed silver cigar case, the cover with a troika in a landscape, surrounded by dense scrolling foliage. Examples of Gubkin’s wares are in all major collections including the Kremlin Armoury Museum in Moscow.
Gubkin Merchant Ivan Semionovich Gubkin founded a workshop in 1841. His sons Sergei and Dmitry Ivanovich continued the business. The firm was one of the largest of its kind. 122 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver-Gilt and Niello Cigar Case reference number: RS_059 1840’s silver length: 13.7 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic initials А.N.M. of unidentified maker assay mark of Moscow, 1840’s silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Vertical silver cigar case with a hinged lid and a spring loaded push opening mechanism. Bottom of the case opens to reveal match compartment and a strike plate. Both sides are decorated with architectural cartouches, surrounded with rich niello floral pattern.
Silver-Gilt and Niello Cigar Case reference number: RS_060 1867 silver length: 13 cm maker’s mark: Latin initials E.E. of unidentified maker assay’s mark: Cyrillic initials V.S. of Victor Savinkov assay mark of Moscow, 1867 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Oblong nielloed silver cigarette case with equestrian monument of Nicholas I of Russia on St.Isaac’s Square, over a sunburst background, the sides and base with dense chequered pattern.
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Silver-Gilt and Niello Cigar Box reference number: RS_063 1867 silver length: 12.4 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic initials G.D. of unidentified maker assay’s mark: Cyrillic initials V.S. of Viktor Savinkov assay mark of Moscow, 1867 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Nielloed silver cigar case decorated overall with a chequered pattern, the cover with monogram ‘KM’ in a cartouche.
Silver-Gilt and Niello Snuff Box T. Botkov, Moscow reference number: RS_068 1854 silver length: 8.5 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic initials T.B. of T. Botkov assay’s mark: Cyrillic initials A.K. of Andrey Kovalsky assay mark of Moscow, 1854 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Silver-gilt hinged box with the lid decorated with a stylised picture of the Moscow Kremlin and a Rococo border. Reverse is with similar border, containing architectural vignette.
124 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver-Gilt and Niello Cigarette Case Gustav Klingert, Moscow reference number: RS_067 1885 silver length: 14 cm maker’s mark: Latin initials G.K. of Gustav Klingert assay’s mark: Cyrillic initials A.R. of A. Romanov assay mark of Moscow, 1885 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Nielloed silver trompe l’oeil cigarette case, the cover with a simulated label inscribed in Cyrillic ‘’Papirosi’’, the cover, sides and base with simulated wicker-work, the interior inscribed “BTF, Xmas 1888” Gustav Klingert Gustav Gustavovich Klingert (Postnikova-Loseva 2374/5, 3035, 3046) was the owner of factory between 1865 and 1916, was a very prolific producer of distinctive cloisonné enamel wares in the Pan Slavic style. Objects by Klingert are in all major collections including the Kremlin Armory Museum and the State Historical Museum, Moscow.
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Silver-Gilt and Niello Snuff Box Ivan Kaltikov, Moscow reference number: RS_061 1833 silver length: 8.5 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.V. of Ivan Kaltikov assay’s mark: Cyrillic initials N.D. of Nikolai Dubrovin assay mark of Moscow, 1833 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Nielloed silver-gilt snuff-box, the composition on the cover depicts a mounted officer and a cossack in a fluvial landscape with a city in the background; the the reverse shows a city wall and ships; the sides are nielloed with an architectural frieze. A similar box by Kaltikov is in the collection of the State Historical Museum in Moscow.
Silver-Gilt and Niello Snuff Box Ivan Kaltikov, Moscow reference number: RS_062 1820’s silver length: 8.3 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.K. of of Ivan Kaltikov assay’s mark: Cyrillic initials N.D. of Nikolai Dubrovin assay mark of Moscow, 182(?) silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Nielloed silver-gilt snuffbox, the cover is decorated with a composition showing three female figures and a cupid; the reverse of the box is chased with a stylised architectural landscape within borders of scrolling foliage. 126 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver-Gilt and Niello Snuff Box reference number: RS_047 1818 silver-gilt length: 6.2 cm maker’s mark: illegible assay’s mark: Cyrillic initials M.K. of Mikhail Karpinsky assay mark of Moscow, 1818 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Nielloed silver-gilt snuff box, the cover with two winged putti in a bucolic setting; the base and borders with lozenges.
Silver-Gilt and Niello Snuff Box reference number: RS_066 1815 silver length: 9 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.O. of an unknown master, active during 1802-1816 assay’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.V. of Ivan Vihlyaev assay mark of Moscow, 1815 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Silver-gilt hinged snuff box, decorated with niello throughout. The top of the box shows Falconet’s Peter the Great Equestrian Statue. The rock underneath carved with an inscription ‘To Peter I from Ekaterina II’. The bottom and the sides are decorated with military trophies.
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Silver-Gilt Cork Set reference number: RS_034 later 19th century silver height of the biggest figure 5.5 cm master’s mark: Cyrillic initials of A.S. possibly for Alexey Stepanov assay mark of Moscow silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Set of six silver-gild bottle stoppers. The set comprises of humorous peasant market salesmen wearing traditional Russian Sunday attire: three bearded men and three female, all realistically sculpted: - one man is drinking vodka straight from the bottle - second is carrying a horse’s harness - third is a home-brew salesman - fourth is a peasant girl carrying apples in her apron - fifth and sixth are saleswomen of kvas (bread yeast low alcohol home-brew).
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Silver-Gilt Imperial Presentation Trophy Sazikov, St.Petersburg reference number: RS_002 1852 silver-gilt height 64.2 cm; weight 2913 gr maker’s mark: Imperial Warrant mark of Sazikov assay mark of St.Petersburg, 1852 Provenance Christie’s New York, 21 October 2003, Sale 1286, lot 137 Sazikov The firm of Sazikov was one of the most well-regarded silversmith and jewellery firms of nineteenth-century Russia and one of the greatest innovators in the field.
Silver-gilt Imperial presentation trophy of baluster shape on raised foot, decorated with Neo-Byzantine ornament over stippled ground, the centre set with four vacant cartouches at intervals, the upper part bears the Cyrillic inscription: ‘Imperial St.Petersburg Yacht Club prize for regatta racing on July 12th 1852’. The detachable cover has a similar decoration, the finial is chased and engraved as a triple Imperial eagle surmounted by the Russian Imperial crown.
The firm was established in 1810 by the Moscow tradesman Pavel Fyodorovich Sazikov (d. 1830). In 1837 it passed to his son Ignaty Pavlovich (1793-1868), who in 1842 opened a branch in St.Petersburg, and then to his grandsons Pavel Ignatyevich (18151856), Sergei Ignatyevich (1823-1880) and Valentin Ignatyevich (1830-1877). In 1837 the firm was appointed the official purveyor of silverware to Tsar Nicholas I and in 1844 received the Imperial Warrant. The firm existed until the beginning of 1887, when it was acquired by Khlebnikov.
In the latter half of the nineteenth century, Sazikov regularly exhibited at international exhibitions including the Pan-Russian Exhibitions of Art and Industry in Moscow (1835, 1853) and St.Petersburg (1849, 1861, 1865), Great Exhibition in London (1851, gold medal), Exposition Universelle in Paris (1867, Légion d’honneur), World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago (1893), won numerous awards. The firm was famous for its tablewares and objets de vertu in Neo-Russian style. In addition to that, Sazikov’s firm produced figurative, sculptural works, often representing historical themes or genre scenes, such as the sculptural group of Prince Dmitry Donskoy and his warriors resting under the tree after the Battle of Kulikovo - the prizewinner of the 1851 Great Exhibition in London. The sculpture was Sazikov’s answer to the historicist groups by Hunt & Roskell.
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Silver Racing Trophy Sazikov, St.Petersburg reference number: RS_017 1871 height: 42 cm maker’s mark: Sazikov assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.E. of unidentified master assay mark of St.Petersburg, 1871 silver standard: 84 zolotnik Exhibitions Wilmington, Delaware, Riverfront Arts Centre, Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, 9 Sept 2000 - 18 Feb 2001, no. 33 Bibliography G. von Habsburg, Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, London, 2000, no. 33, p. 54, illustrated in colour
Silver racing trophy with horse-head handles, standing on four hoof feet. The piece is chased with the RussoByzantine interlace ornament, very typical of the items produced by Sazikov, one of the most well-regarded silversmith and jewellery firms of 19th-century Russia and one of the greatest innovators in the field. The firm was famous for its tablewares and objets de vertu in Neo-Russian style. In addition to that, Sazikov produced figurative sculptural works, often representing historical and genre scene. The slip-on cover is inscribed in Cyrillic: Second prize for Exhibition Riding of the 13th Vladimir Lancers, His Imperial Highness Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaievich Regiment from H.S.H. Prince Nikolai Petrovich Oldenburg. Donated by Prince Nikolai Oldenburg, the trophy was presented as an award for a riding competition between the officers of the 13th Vladimir Lancers Regiment commanded by the prince.
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Prince Nikolai Oldenburg (Nikolaus Friedrich August von Oldenburg, 1840-1886), the second child and the elder son of Prince Peter of Oldenburg and Princess Therese Wilhelmina of Nassau, and the grandson of Grand Duchess Catherine Pavlovna, belonged to one of the most influential royal families of Europe. Different branches of the house ruled over Denmark, Iceland, Greece, Norway, Sweden, and Russia (the Romanovs were one of the descendants of the Oldenburg house). Prince Oldenburg received home education. From birth he was assigned to the Life Guards Preobrazhensky Regiment. In 1856, he commenced his military service in the rank of lieutenant in the Life Guards Mounted Pioneer Squadron. In 1861, he was appointed the regiment’s commander. In 1863 he made a morganatic marriage with Maria Bulazel (1845-1907). The marriage displeased the Tsar: Prince Oldenburg was dismissed from the Court and had to quit military service. Only three years later, due to the intercession of the Grand Duke Nicholas, who was married to his sister Alexandra, he was allowed to return to the army, his wife and children were granted the title of Counts Ostenburg.
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136 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Silver-Gilt Presentation Race Tazza Sazikov, St.Petersburg reference number: RS_020 1851 silver, silver-gilt height: 29 cm maker’s mark: Imperial Warrant mark of Ignatiy Sazikov; incuse Cyrillic maker’s mark and crowned double-headed eagle Imperial Warrant mark of Sazikov to detachable top maker’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.S. to foot assay master’s mark: Latin initials A.M. of Alexander Nicholayevitch Mitin, 1851 assay mark of St.Petersburg silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Parcel-Gilt Silver Presentation Tazza. The detachable parcel-gilt silver top features a border of fruiting vines, and a centre engraved with the Imperial double-headed eagle in roundel with the Russian inscription State Prize for Trotting Horse-Breeding Stallions, 1849. The piece was then awarded at a slightly later date as a horse-racing prize
and inscribed in Russian with name of winning horse as well as the date of race: “Krolik” (Rabbit in Russian) and “28th February, 1854”. Below this in Russian is the horse’s time in the race: 6 minutes, 1 second. The baluster column and capital is chased and decorated with fruiting vines on a shaped square base raised on four acanthus leaf feet.
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Silver Large Salt Throne Sazikov, St.Petersburg
Silver Small Salt Throne Sazikov, St.Petersburg
reference number: RS_040
reference number: RS_041
1876 silver height: 10.5 cm master’s mark: Cyrillic I.S. for Ignaty Sazikov with the Imperial Warrant assay’s mark: Cyrillic initials P.K. of unknown assay master active until 1876 assay mark of St.Petersburg, 1876 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
1876 silver height: 6.2 cm master’s mark: Sazikov with the Imperial Warrant assay’s mark: Cyrillic initials P.K. of unknown assay master active until 1876 assay mark of St.Petersburg, 1876 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Silver salt throne in the Pan-Slavic design with trompe-l’oeil lower part emulating tied wooden boards. Salt throne with a hinged lid, decorated with six-pointed star.
Silver smaller salt throne in the Pan-Slavic design with trompe-l’olei lower part emulating tied wooden boards. Salt throne with a hinged lid, decorated with six-pointed star. 138 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Circular Parcel-Gilt Coin Box Sazikov, St.Petersburg
Silver Small Box Modelled as a Shell Sazikov, St.Petersburg
reference number: RS_033
reference number: RS_043
1890’s silver diameter: 6.6 cm master’s mark: initials Cyrillic I.S. of Ignaty Sazikov assay mark of St.Petersburg, before 1899 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
1849 silver height: 5.7 cm master’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.S. for Ignaty Sazikov assay’s mark: Cyrillic initials A.K. for Alexander Kovalsky assay mark of St.Petersburg, 1849 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Circular parcel-gilt coin box chased with two intersecting straps, one chased with a Slavonic inscription: ‘Those that do not squander money will not fall on hard times’, the other with stylised foliage, with similar foliage to the centre and pellets to the sides, engraved with Cyrillic monogram ‘RCA’.
Silver-gilt hinged small box, realistically modelled as a shell.
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Silver Sculpture of a Horse Semen Gorshkov, Moscow reference number: RS_019 circa 1880 length: 15.7 cm assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials S.G. of Semen Gorshkov assay mark of Moscow silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Realistically chased model of a horse galloping on a stippled ground simulating grass. Mounted on a silvergilt base.
140 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Fabergé Fabergé’s silver was produced primarily in the Moscow workshop in no. 4 Bolshoi Kiselny Lane under the supervision of Mikhail Chepurnov. The reason for the choice of location was chiefly financial, as the cost of labour in Moscow was substantially lower than in St.Petersburg. Furthermore, craftsmen were better trained and more readily available in the Old Capital. Fabergé’s silver is of a higher quality, the firm used larger quantities of the precious metal, thus achieving a more luxurious effect. The firm was well known for its regimental and racing trophies. Moscow was also the source for the more mundane objects for the bourgeoisie and merchant classes. These include cigarette and cigar cases, tea-glass holders, photograph frames, bowls, kovshi, mirrors and toilet-sets. Commissions from St.Petersburg executed in Moscow were usually designed to please the more Westernoriented taste of the New Capital. Here the preferred style was either Neo-Rococo or Neo-Classical whilst Muscovites preferred either the contorted forms of Art Nouveau, or better still the so-called Pan Slavic or Old Russian style, which harks back to the true Russian forms and decorations of the glorious pre-Petrine past of Russia. Fairy-tale princes and princesses, mythical bogatyrs and the figures of famous tsars of bygone days decorate many of the vessels and objects made in Moscow. The mid-19th century also discovers the idioms of peasant architecture and embroideries, which become wildly popular and are transferred onto recipients in precious metals. At the turn of the century an indigenous Arts and Crafts movement of a truly national style dubbed ‘Neo-Russian’ makes its appearance. It too feeds on the past, but combines it with Art Nouveau, forming an exuberant and fascinating new language.
Fabergé as creator of jewellery, accessories and objets d’art needs no special introduction. His brilliantly designed, highly original, superbly crafted works of art are known by all Fabergé lovers as his crowning glory. With his many thousands of such objects, painstakingly created of hardstone, silver, gold or enamel, much emulated but never equalled, he created an undisputed niche for himself. The firm’s produced items of joaillerie for the Russian Imperial court. By French definition, these were jewels, of which the value resided primarily in the quality and size of the stones employed. Like Fabergé’s silver, these too, with a few exceptions, have disappeared almost entirely, as they were broken up by the Soviets and sold in Amsterdam, London, Paris and Berlin in the 1920s for the limited value of their stones. What have survived in relatively large numbers, are Fabergé’s bijoux, or what might be termed as “designer” jewels, due to their lesser intrinsic value. These are generally small trinkets, pendants or brooches, made of platinum- and rose-cut diamondmounted semi-precious stones such as moonstones and chalcedonies, or coloured sapphires, or chrysoprases. Another group is formed of enamelled gold brooches/ pendants set with semi-precious stones. These two categories were produced equally by both the August Holmstrom workshop and that of August Hollming, as well as by the smaller workshop of Alfred Thielemann. These jewels appealed to the general public for their accessible price-range and their elegant, highly individual designs. This category of jewellery also comprises such accessories or articles of personal adornment such as buttons and cufflinks, belt-buckles and cloak-clasps and pendant watches, which were made by the jewellery workshops, but also occasionally by the leading workshops of Mikhail Perchin and Henrik Wigström. www.ruzhnikov.com • 141
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142 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Fabergé Gold, Enamel, Aventurine and Seed Pearl Desk Clock Fabergé, St.Petersburg reference number: FB_009 1880’s gold, silver-gilt, enamel, aventurine, pearl height: 10.8 cm maker’s marked: Fabergé in Cyrillic workmaster’s mark: initials M.P. of Mikhail Perchin assay mark of St.Petersburg, before 1889 gold standard: 56 and 88 standards
Square desk clock, enamelled gold and silver-gilt mounted pink aventurine, applied with gold thyrsos stuffs placed diagonally tied with ribbons, the rim of blue enamel set with half-pearls; the opaque white enamel dial with black Arabic chapters, gold “Louis XV” hands and reed-and-tie bezel.
Mikhail Perchin Mikhail Yevlampievitch Perchin (1860-1903) was Fabergé’s second, and most gifted, head workmaster, active from 1884 until 1903. During these years, he supervised production of the imperial Easter eggs. All but one, famous Fabergé large Imperial Eggs made before Perchin’s death in 1903, bear the hallmark of his workshop. The period when Perchin was in charge of Fabergé’s works is acknowledged as being particularly innovative, with the firm’s output covering a great range of different object types and styles. With arrival of Perchin at the Fabergé firm in 1884 and his appointment as head workmaster, Fabergé began to experiment in translucent guilloché enamels and hardstone carvings.
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Fabergé Silver-Gilt and Enamel Desk Clock Fabergé, St.Petersburg reference number: FB_020 circa 1900 silver-gilt, enamel diameter: 10.2 cm workmaster’s mark: Cyrillic initials M.P. of Mikhail Perchin assay mark of St. Petersburg 1899-1903 silver standard: 88 zolotnik Fabergé inventory number 1949
Circular silver-gilt desk clock, enamelled chartreuse over wavy sun-ray guilloché ground applied with overlaid olive branches surrounding a white enamel dial within gadrooned gold bezel, black Arabic chapters and pierced gold hands, all within an interwoven outer border, the ivory back with hinged scroll strut. Contained in later fitted retailer’s case. www.ruzhnikov.com • 145
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Fabergé Gold and Enamel Desk Clock Fabergé, St.Petersburg reference number: FB_057 circa 1910 gold, silver, enamel, ivory height: 11.7 cm maker’s mark: Fabergé workmaster’s mark: initial H.W. of Henrik Wigström assay mark of St.Petersburg, 1908-1917 gold standard: 56 zolotnik; silver standard: 88 zolotnik Fabergé scratched inventory number 3?0949 1913 London import mark
Henrik Wigström Henrik Immanuel Wigström (18621923) was Fabergé’s third and last head workmaster from 1903 until 1917. He joined the firm at the age of 22 in 1884 as assistant to Mikhail Perchin. His workshop was responsible for most of the firm’s later Easter eggs, as well as a large quantity of superbly crafted enamel, gold and silver objects of art and jewellery.
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148 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Rectangular gold and silver strut desk clock with ivory backing; enamelled in translucent red over sunburst guilloché background; border with acanthus frieze; surmounted by ribbon cresting and decorated with suspending four-colour gold floral festoons; the projecting corners are applied with gold rosettes. The circular dial with pale pink translucent enamel over sunburst guilloché background with burgundy red Roman numerals and entwining laurel; the centre of the dial inscribed Fabergé in cursive; ribbon-tied bezel with opaque white enamel.
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Fabergé Gold, Enamel and Nephrite Pill Box Fabergé, St.Petersburg reference number: FB_019 1880’s nephrite, gold, enamel, diamonds diameter: 3.8 cm maker’s mark: Fabergé workmaster’s mark: Cyrillic initials M.P. of Mikhail Perchin assay mark of St.Petersburg, before 1899 silver standard: 56 zolotnik Exhibitions Fabergé, Rome, Museo Del Corso, 30 October 2003 - 18 January 2004 Carl Fabergé and Masters of Stone Carving. Russian Gems, Moscow, The Kremlin Museum, 8 April - 24 July 2011 Bibliography G. von Habsburg, Fabergé, Rome, 2003, p. 52 T. Muntyan, Carl Fabergé and Masters of Stone Carving. Russian Gems, Moscow, 2011, no. 83, p. 109
Nephrite cylindrical box, cover inset with gold rouble of Elizabeth of Russia with red guilloché enamel background and in rose-cut diamond frame; rim of red guilloché enamel. 150 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Fabergé Gold and Enamel Seal Fabergé, St.Petersburg reference number: FB_047 1903 gold, enamel height: 7.3 cm workmaster’s mark: Latin initials H.W. of Henrik Wigström gold standard: 56 standard
The handle is enamelled translucent powder blue over guilloché ground tapering to vacant seal, two-colour gold foliate bands and fluting surmounted with floral terminal.
Fabergé Gold and Enamel Scent Bottle Fabergé, St.Petersburg reference number: FB_070 circa 1905 height: 6.3 cm workmaster’s mark: Latin initials H.W. of Henrik Wigström assay mark of St.Petersburg, 1904-1908 gold standards: 56 and 88 Fabergé scratched inventory number 16666
The surface of translucent blue enamel over hatched engine-turning, chased leaf colour, hinged dome lid, gold-mounted cork stopper.
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Fabergé Gold and Enamel Cigarette Case Fabergé, St.Petersburg reference number: FB_073 1910’s gold, enamel height: 9.8 cm maker’s mark: Fabergé in Cyrillic workmaster’s mark: Latin initials H.W. of Henrik Wigström assay mark of St.Petersburg, 1908-1917 gold standard: 72 zolotnik in original wooden case the interior of the lid stamped with the Imperial warrant and inscribed: Fabergé, St.Petersburg, Moscow, London
Fabergé gold cigarette case of rectangular form with arched top and bottom is decorated in translucent royal blue enamel over an engine-turned ground, divided by vertical gold stripes, the gold mounts are engraved with flowerheads and laurel leaf bands, further set with a diamond thumbpiece.
Provenance Mrs Alice Keppel (1869-1947) Mrs Sonia Cubitt, daughter of Mrs Keppel Christie’s Geneva, 11 May 1989 (Objets de Vitrine from the Collection of Mrs. George Keppel) Private collection Exhibitions Stockholm, National Museum, Carl Fabergé, Goldsmith to the Tsars, 6 June 1997 – 19 October 1997, no. 102 Bibliography Carl Fabergé, Goldsmith to the Tsars, Stockholm, no. 102, p. 145, illustrated in colour
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The cigarette case comes from the collection of Mrs Alice Keppel (1868-1947). Mrs Keppel was the most famous mistress of King Edward VII, great-grandmother to Camilla Parker Bowles, wife of the current Prince of Wales. Both the King and Mrs Keppel were smokers. Unlike many ladies of the period, Mrs Keppel smoked in public and surrounded herself with all the elegant paraphernalia of jewelled cigarette cases, vesta cases and cigarette holders. Sir Osbert Sitwell wrote of Mrs Keppel: ‘I liked greatly to listen to her talking, if it were possible to lure her away from the bridge table, she would remove from her mouth for a moment the cigarette which she would be smoking with an air of determination, through a long holder, and turn upon the person to whom she was speaking her large, humorous, kindly, peculiar discerning eyes’. (O. Sitwell, Great Morning, London, 1948, p. 218) 154 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Eighth daughter of Admiral Sir William Edmonstone, Alice Keppel was born in 1869, and at the age of twenty two married the Hon. George Keppel. In 1898 she met Edward Albert, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII), then aged 56. She was 29, and within a matter of weeks Alice was his official mistress. The royal affair was an open secret. Her husband and queen Alexandra knew about the affair that continued until the king’s death in 1910. She was even called to his deathbed by the queen who tolerated her although she didn’t like her. Hailed as one of the most beautiful women of her time, Alice Keppel was one of the best-known society hostesses of the Edwardian era.
Fabergé piece mostly associated with Alice is the snake cigarette case, now in the Royal collection. The case was given to Edward VII by Alice sometime around 1908. It is of dark blue enamel over a guilloche moire ground with a diamond-set snake. After king’s demise, his wife Queen Alexandra returned the case to Mrs Keppel ‘as a souvenir’. Twenty-five years later, in 1936, Mrs Keppel gave the case to Queen Mary, thereby ensuring that it would remain in royal ownership.
When Mrs Keppel died, a large quantity of jewellery and objets de vitrine were deposited with Drummond’s Bank where they remained for forty-six years. On the death of Alice’s daughter Sonia in 1986 the items were sold by Sotheby’s at Hotel Beau-Rivage, Geneva (first sale - 11 May 1989, Sotheby’s, Geneva). The items formed a fabulous collection of objets d’art acquired and collected by Alice. Fabergé items in the sale spoke of Alice’s connection with the royal Fabergé collection. Alice Keppel was a great admirer of Karl Fabergé’s work and was instrumental in the creation of the Royal collection of Fabergé: she advised the king on presents for his wife Queen Alexandra. Records show that Mrs Keppel was largely responsible for the creation of the famous Sandringham animals. Alexandra and her sister Dagmar, who became Empress Maria Fyodorovna, consort of Tsar Alexander III were two major patrons to whom Carl Fabergé owed his international success. The two sisters engaged in a constant exchange of gifts for Easter, Christmas and birthdays. Soon Edward VII was equally passionate about the pieces - an enthusiasm he passed on to his son, George V and the rest of Edwardian society. At her death Alice Keppel’s Fabergé collection in Florence included twelve items: a gold and enamel pedestal pillbox, five gold and enamel cigarette cases; an enamel vanity case; a gold, enamel and hardstone vesta case for matches; a gold, diamond and enamel egg pendant; a jewelled gold and enamel miniature Easter egg; a gold enamel and hardstone patch box; and a jewelled hardstone compact. All the pieces were acquired prior to the Russian Revolution, when Fabergé’s business was at its height. www.ruzhnikov.com • 155
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Fabergé Silver and Enamel Desk Clock Fabergé, St.Petersburg reference number: FB_072 1900’s silver, enamel height: 10.3 cm workmaster’s mark: Latin initials H.W. of Henrik Wigström assay mark of St.Petersburg, 1899-1903 silver standard: 91 zolotnik Fabergé inventory number 16556 Exhibitions Munich, Kunsthalle der Hypo-Kulturstiftung, Fabergé. Hofjuwelier der Zaren, 5 December 1986 - 22 February 1987, no. 415 Stockholm, National Museum, Carl Fabergé, Goldsmith to the Tsars, 6 June 1997 – 19 October 1997, no. 142 Bibliography G. von Habsburg, Fabergé. Hofjuwelier der Zaren, Munich, 1986, no. 415, p. 225, illustrated in colour Carl Fabergé, Goldsmith to the Tsars, Stockholm, no. 142, p. 170, illustrated in colour
Square silver desk clock, enamelled bright pink over wavy sunburst guilloche ground, with white enamel dial within pearl bezel, black Arabic numerals and pierced gold hands, outer border with repetitive leaf pattern. Back mounted with a hinged scroll strut.
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158 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Fabergé Gem-Set Enamelled Two-Colour Gold Cape-Clasp Fabergé, St.Petersburg reference number: FB_018 circa 1900 gold, enamel, moonstones, diamonds, rubies overall length: 13.2 cm maker’s mark: Fabergé workmaster’s mark: Latin initials H.W. of Henrik Wigström assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials Ya.L. of Yakov Lyapunov assay mark of St.Petersburg, 1899-1908 gold standard: 56 zolotnik contained in its original wooden case, the lid stamped with Fabergé Imperial Warrant mark, St.Petersburg, Moscow, Odessa
Exhibitions Wilmington, Delaware, Riverfront Arts Centre, Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, 9 September 2000 - 18 February 2001 Munich, Kunsthalle der Hypo-Kulturstiftung, Fabergé - Cartier. Rivalen am Zarenhof, 28 November 2003 - 12 April 2004 Moscow, The Kremlin Museum, Carl Fabergé and Masters of Stone Carving. Russian Gems, 8 April - 24 July 2011 Bibliography G. von Habsburg, A. von Solodkoff, Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, London, 2000, no. 490, p. 208 G. von Habsburg, Fabergé - Cartier. Rivalen am Zarenhof, Munich, 2003, no. 421, p. 276 T. Muntyan, Carl Fabergé and Masters of Stone Carving. Russian Gems, Moscow, 2011, no. 104 p. 122
Two clasps of triangular shape, each with a pink-foiled cabochon moonstone in a rose-cut diamond mount set in a panel of opalescent white guilloché enamel applied with intertwining green and red gold laurel sprays and a cabochon ruby, with palm leaf borders. The clasps are joined by a gold chain which suspends a similar triangular pendant. www.ruzhnikov.com • 159
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Fabergé Imperial Gold and Enamel Cigarette Case Fabergé, St.Petersburg reference number: FB_010 1902 width: 9.4 cm maker’s mark: Fabergé in Cyrillic workmaster’s mark: Latin initials A.H. of August Hollming assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials Ya.L. of Yakov Lyapunov gold standard: 56 zolotnik Fabergé scratched inventory number 1277_ Provenance Presented by Emperor Nicholas II to Gustav Baron von Senden-Birban (1847-1909), Vice Admiral of the Imperial German Navy in 1902 in Reval (now Tallinn, Estonia) The Manolo March Collection Sold: Christie’s London, 28-29 October 2009, lot 440
An imperial gold hinged presentation cigarette case with rounded corners and a diamond push piece. The entire surface of the case is decorated with translucent yellow enamel over engine-turned sunburst rays emanating from the centre. The lid is applied with a diamond-set Russian Imperial double-headed eagle and diamond thumbpiece. The interior is engraved in Danish: ‘Von S.Majestaet dem Kaiser v.Russland / Reval 7.8.1902 / G.Frhr.v.S.B.’
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Fabergé Lozenge-Shaped Diamond-Set Gold and Chalcedony Brooch Fabergé, St.Petersburg circa 1900 gold, diamonds, chalcedony length: 4.2 cm workmaster’s mark: Latin initials A.H. of August Holmström assay master’s mark: initials A.R. of A. Romanov assay mark of St.Petersburg, 1899-1908 gold standard: 56 zolotnik
Centrally set with a cabochon chalcedony flanked by four diamonds, within a diamond-set frame.
Exhibitions Munich, Kunsthalle der Hypo-Kulturstiftung, Fabergé - Cartier. Rivalen am Zarenhof, 28 Nov 2003 - 12 April 2004 Moscow, The Kremlin Museum, Carl Fabergé and Masters of Stone Carving. Russian Gems, 8 April - 24 July 2011 Bibliography G. von Habsburg, Fabergé - Cartier. Rivalen am Zarenhof, Munich, 2003, no. 435, p. 279 T. Muntyan, Carl Fabergé and Masters of Stone Carving. Russian Gems, Moscow, 2011, no. 108, p. 124
Fabergé Gold, Jewelled and Agate Brooch Fabergé, St.Petersburg reference number: FB_015 circa 1890 gold, agate, rubies, diamonds length: 3.8 cm maker’s mark: Fabergé workmaster’s mark: Latin initials G.N. of Gabriel Niukkanen assay mark of St.Petersburg, before 1899 gold standard: 56 zolotnik Provenance Sotheby’s NY, October 23 2003, Sale N07926, lot 50 Exhibitions Moscow, The Kremlin Museum, Carl Fabergé and Masters of Stone Carving. Russian Gems, 8 April - 24 July 2011 Bibliography T. Muntyan, Carl Fabergé and Masters of Stone Carving. Russian Gems, Moscow, 2011, no. 83, p. 109 162 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Fabergé gold brooch in the form of conjoined circles, one side is set with a moss agate plaque flanked by diamonds, the other - with a jewelled floral spray.
Fabergé Gold and Enamel Brooch with Ribbons and Swags Fabergé, St.Petersburg reference number: FB_014 circa 1908-1917 gold, enamel, topaz, diamonds, pearls width: 4.1 cm maker’s mark: Fabergé workmaster’s mark: initials A.T. for Alfred Thielemann assay mark of St.Petersburg, 1908-1917 gold standard: 56 zolotnik Fabergé inventory number 85557
Alfred Thielemann Alfred Thielemann (?-between 1890-1910) worked for Fabergé from 1880 until his death in 1910. He specialised in gold, enamelled and gem-set jewellery, miniature Easter eggs and jettons. After his death the business was continued by his son Rudolf Thielemann.
Exhibitions Wilmington, Delaware, Riverfront Arts Centre, Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, 9 September 2000 - 18 February 2001 Las Vegas, Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, Fabergé Treasures from the Kremlin, 30 August 2002 - 26 Jan 2003 Munich, Kunsthalle der Hypo-Kulturstiftung, Fabergé - Cartier. Rivalen am Zarenhof, 28 Nov 2003 - 12 April 2004 Moscow, The Kremlin Museum, Carl Fabergé and Masters of Stone Carving. Russian Gems, 8 April - 24 July 2011 Bibliography G. von Habsburg, A. von Solodkoff, Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, London, 2000, no. 608, p. 249; L. Morris (ed.), M. Glimcher, E. Gagarina, A. Bundonis, T. Muntyan, Fabergé Treasures from the Kremlin, Las Vegas, 2002, p. 62-63; G. von Habsburg, Fabergé - Cartier. Rivalen am Zarenhof, Munich, 2003, no. 455, p. 284-285 T. Muntyan, Carl Fabergé and Masters of Stone Carving. Russian Gems, Moscow, 2011, no. 83, p. 109
Gold and guilloché enamel brooch mounted with faceted oval purplish pink topaz in rose-cut diamond bezel, bordered with seed pearls; applied with two laurel swags suspended from tied ribbons, set with, respectively, a circular diamond and numerous smaller rose-cut diamonds.
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Fabergé Silver Imperial Presentation Trophy Fabergé, Moscow reference number: FB_002 1910’s silver height: 34 cm stamped with Imperial warrant mark of Fabergé under base assay mark of Moscow, 1908-1917 silver standard: 88 zolotnik Provenance Sotheby’s New York, 10/11 June 1985, Sale 5345 TATIANA, lot 490 Exhibitions New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Fabergé in America, 16 February - 28 April 1996, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, 25 May - 28 July 1996, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, 24 August - 3 November 1996, New Orleans Museum of Art, 7 December 1996 - 9 February 1997, Cleveland Museum of Art, 12 March - 11 May 1997 Wilmington, Delaware, Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, 9 Sept 2000 - 18 Feb 2001 Bibliography Andre Ruzhnikov Russian Icons, Palo Alto, 1990’s, illustrated on the back cover G. von Habsburg, D. Parks Curry, Ch. Forbes, H. Hawley, J. Webster Keefe, A. Odom, Fabergé in America, San Francisco, 1996, no. 302, p. 279, illustrated in colour G. von Habsburg, A. von Solodkoff, Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, London, 2000, no. 145, p. 101, illustrated in colour
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Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna
Silver Imperial presentation trophy of urn shape standing on a concave triangular base upheld by three double-headed eagles with spread-out wings, each perched on a polished sphere. The cup is chased with tapering flutes at the base and wide band chased with laurel leaves under the lip. In the middle it is set with an applied two-line Cyrillic inscription: Her Imperial Majesty’s / First Prize. The domed cover with tapering flutes is surmounted by an Imperial Russian crown. www.ruzhnikov.com • 167
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Fabergé Silver Imperial Presentation Trophy Fabergé, Moscow reference number: FB_001 circa 1900 silver height: 40.5 cm maker’s mark: Imperial Warrant mark of Fabergé assay master: Cyrillic initial I.L. of Ivan Lebedkin assay mark of Moscow 1899-1908 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Provenance New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Fabergé in America, 16 February - 28 April 1996, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, 25 May - 28 July 1996, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, 24 August 3 November 1996, New Orleans Museum of Art, 7 December 1996 9 February 1997, Cleveland Museum of Art, 12 March - 11 May 1997 Wilmington, Delaware, Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, 9 Sept 2000 - 18 Feb 2001 Bibliography Andre Ruzhnikov Russian Icons, Palo Alto, 1990’s, no. 885, illustrated p. 23 G. von Habsburg, D. Parks Curry, Ch. Forbes, H. Hawley, J. Webster Keefe, A. Odom, Fabergé in America, San Francisco, 1996, no. 303, p. 279, illustrated in colour G. von Habsburg, A. von Solodkoff, Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, London, 2000, no. 146, p. 101, illustrated in colour
Silver Imperial presentation cup decorated with a band of laurel leaves, an empty band for an inscription and a wide band of stylised foliate motifs beneath the lip. The cover with gadrooned rim, surmounted by an Imperial crown above two laurel swags. www.ruzhnikov.com • 169
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Fabergé Silver Imperial Presentation Trophy Fabergé, Moscow reference number: FB_003 1893 silver height: 43 cm; weight: 3760 gr stamped with Imperial warrant mark of Fabergé under base assay mark of Moscow, 1893 silver standard: 88 zolotnik Provenance Sale Sotheby’s London, 11 June 2008, lot 440
Silver Imperial presentation cup of urn shape standing on a concave triangular base upheld by three double-headed eagles with spread-out wings, each perched on a polished sphere. The cup is chased with tapering flutes at the base and wide band of laurel leaves, it is further set with an applied two-line Cyrillic inscription above and a band of alternating acanthus and anthemion floral design under the lip. The domed cover with tapering flutes surmounted by an Imperial Russian crown. Inscribed in Cyrillic: Imperial Prize / the Moscow Imperial Horse Racing Society. A similar Imperial presentation cup was show in the Fabergé in America in the Metropolitan Museum in New York in 1996 (Fabergé in America 1996/7, cat. 302, col. ill. p. 279; Wilmington 2000/1, cat. 145, col. ill. p. 101). Moscow Imperial Horse Riding Society, one of the oldest in Russia, was established in 1834 on the initiative of the Moscow Governor-General His Highness Prince Dmitry Vladimirovich Golitsyn. The history of the Society is closely related to the Imperial family and the higher nobility circles. After Golitsyn, in different years it was headed by Moscow mayor Prince Vladimir Dolgorukov and Grand Duke Dmitry Konstantinovich; the position of treasurer of the society was held for a long time by the son of Fyodor Dostoyevsky - Fyodor Fyodorovich.
Moscow Governor-General Prince Dmitry Vladimirovich Golitsyn
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Fabergé Silver, Enamel and Wood Photograph Frame Fabergé, St.Petersburg silver-gilt, enamel, glass, wood height: 35.4 cm maker’s mark: Fabergé in Cyrillic workmaster’s mark: initials A.N. of Anders Nevalainen assay mark of St.Petersburg before 1899 silver standard: 91
Large rectangular photograph frame with translucent lavender enamel on moire guilloche ground mounted into a wooden panel. Band of enamel is with ribbon-tied reeded interior border, exterior with repetitive leaf design. Back with retractable strut.
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Fabergé Silver-Mounted Glass Decanter Fabergé, Moscow reference number: FB_005 1890’s silver, glass height: 24 cm maker’s mark: Imperial Warrant mark of Fabergé, assay mark of Moscow, before 1899 silver standard: 84 zolotnik Fabergé inventory no. 6309 Exhibitions Fabergé - Private Collections, Lahti Art Museum, 15 March - 4 May 1997 Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, Wilmington, Delaware, Riverfront Arts Centre, 9 Sept 2000 - 18 Feb 2001 Fabergé Treasures from the Kremlin, Las Vegas, Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, 30 Aug 2002 - 26 Jan 2003 Bibliography Fabergé - Private Collections, 1997, p. 12, illustrated G. von Habsburg, A. von Solodkoff, Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, London, 2000, no. 126, p. 96, illustrated L. Morris (ed.), M. Glimcher, E. Gagarina, A. Bundonis, T. Muntyan, Fabergé Treasures from the Kremlin, Las Vegas, 2002, p. 142-143, illustrated
The tapering fluted cylindrical body of the glass vessel is fitted with a wide silver rim and flat hinged cover; the handle is formed as a naturalistically cast and chased lizard and subtly attached to the glass. The lizard’s arched back forms the body of the handle, while its splayed feet secure the handle to the silver lid and the glass base.
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Fabergé Imperial Presentation Silver Trophy Fabergé, Moscow reference number: FB_022 circa 1900 silver height: 37 cm maker’s mark: Imperial Warrant mark of Fabergé assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.L. of Ivan Lebedkin assay mark of Moscow, 1899-1908 silver standard: 84 zolotnik Fabergé inventory number 11872 Exhibited Wilmington, Delaware, Riverfront Arts Centre, Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, 9 Sept 2000 - 18 Feb 2001 University of East Anglia, Norwich, Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, The Russia Season: Royal Fabergé, 14 October - 11 February 2018 Bibliography G. von Habsburg, A. von Solodkoff, Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, London, 2000, no. 139, p. 99 Ian Collins, Fabergé: From St Petersburg to Sandringham, p. 40, illustrated in colour
Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna
Imperial presentation vase-shape silver trophy in the late Georgian style, with flaring foot, angular handles and domed cover; the body is applied with laurel swags beneath a wide band bearing a Cyrillic inscription “In Honor of Her Imperial Majesty Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna” and a double-headed eagle on the reverse; the upper section of the vessel is chased with a band of husks; the cover is topped with an acorn finial and chased with acanthus-leaf decoration. The item is one of a large number of such trophies, part of Fabergé’s obligatory production for the Imperial court. These were awarded mainly as horse-racing and yachting trophies. www.ruzhnikov.com • 177
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Fabergé Imperial Presentation Silver Casket Fabergé, Moscow reference number: FB_021 circa 1910 silver, semi-precious cabochon cut stones length: 31.7 cm maker’s mark: Imperial Warrant mark of Fabergé assay mark of Moscow, 1908-1917 Provenance Presented by Tsar Nicholas II to the German chancellor Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg (1856-1921) during his visit to St.Petersburg in 1913 Thence by descent through the family of the above Sale Sotheby’s Geneva, 16 November 1989, lot 304 Exhibitions New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Fabergé in America, 16 February - 28 April 1996, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, 25 May - 28 July 1996, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, 24 August 3 November 1996, New Orleans Museum of Art, 7 December 1996 9 February 1997, Cleveland Museum of Art, 12 March - 11 May 1997 Las Vegas, Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, Fabergé Treasures from the Kremlin, 30 August 2002 - 26 January 2003 Rome, Museo Del Corso, Fabergé, 30 October 2003 - 18 January 2004 Bibliography J. von Winterfeldt-Menkin, Jahreszeiten des Lebens, Berlin, 1942, p. 159 Andre Ruzhnikov Russian Icons, Palo Alto, 1990’s, No. 905, illustrated p. 30 G. von Habsburg, D. Parks Curry, Ch. Forbes, H. Hawley, J. Webster Keefe, A. Odom, Fabergé in America, San Francisco, 1996, no. 304, p. 280 L. Morris (ed.), M. Glimcher, E. Gagarina, A. Bundonis, T. Muntyan, Fabergé Treasures from the Kremlin, Las Vegas, 2002, p. 70-71 G. von Habsburg, Fabergé, Rome, 2003, p. 57
Large Imperial presentation silver jewellery casket in the Pan-Slavic style. The stippled matte surface is overlaid with filigree scrolls set with semi-precious cabochon gem-stones, standing on bracket feet, with a roof-shaped lid, drop ring handles and hinged clasp. The casket was presented to the German chancellor Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg during his visit to St.Petersburg in 1913.
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Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg (1856-1921) was appointed Chancellor of Germany in 1909 and occupied the position until 1917, during much of World War I. He was known for his rather liberal political views. In foreign affairs he pursued a political compromise, trying to find a workable solution with the British to reduce military escalation. Prior to the outbreak of WWI in August 1914, amid the diplomatic uncertainties of that period, Bethmann-Hollweg successfully liaised with the British Foreign Secretary, working with him to alleviate tensions during the Balkan Crises of 1912-1913 and prevent its further expansion.
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Fabergé Imperial Presentation Tankard Fabergé, Moscow reference number: FB_024 circa 1900 silver height: 32.5 cm maker’s mark: Imperial Warrant of K. Fabergé workmaster’s mark: Latin initials S.W. of Stephan Wäkewä assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initial Ya.L. Yakov Lyapunov assay mark of St.Petersburg, 1899-1908 silver standard: 84 zolotnik Exhibitions Fabergé, Rome, Museo Del Corso, 30 October 2003 - 18 January 2004 Bibliography G. von Habsburg, Fabergé, Rome, 2003, p. 74
Large tapering cylindrical tankard with loop handle and spreading circular base; the body is chased with acanthus foliage and strapwork, inset with coins representing busts of Russian emperors Peter the Great, Peter II, Anna Ioannovna, Elisabeth and Catherine II; cover with gadrooned rim and pomegranate finial. Inscribed in French: ‘‘Offert à l’ Amiral Germinet/par S.M. Nicolas II Empereur de Russie/ Mai 1902’’. The tankard was presented to a French naval officer Admiral Paul Louis Germinet (1846-1914) on the occasion of his promotion. The gift was a demonstration of the Russian emperor’s gratitude towards the French officer for having been instrumental in building the Franco-Russian alliance.
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Germinet commanded the cruiser Pothuau. In 1897, during the visit of French president Felix Faure to Kronstadt and St.Petersburg in 1897, the Franco-Russian alliance was proclaimed aboard this vessel. The alliance, along with the Anglo-Russian Entente and the Entente Cordiale formed the so-called Triple Entente between the United Kingdom, France and Russia, forming a crucial step towards World War I.
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Fabergé Silver-Gilt and Enamel Desk Clock Fabergé, St.Petersburg reference number: FB_072 Victor Aarne
circa 1900 silver-gilt, enamel height: 14 cm maker’s mark: Fabergé in Cyrillic workmaster’s mark: Cyrillic initials V.A. of Victor Aarne assay mark of St.Petersburg 1899-1903 silver standard: 88 zolotnik Fabergé scratched inventory number 14526
Johan Victor Aarne (1863-1934) - Russian designer of jewellery and objects of art of Finnish descent. From 1880 to 1904, with a short interval, Aarne worked for Fabergé, first under August Holmström, then as a head of his own workshop. He mainly specialised in small gold and enamel objects of the highest quality.
Fabergé silver-gilt timepiece formed as a six-pointed star, the surface is enamelled in translucent canary yellow over sunburst engine-turning, with a seed pearl bezel and border, and a silver scroll strut.
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Fabergé Silver Vase and Cover Fabergé, Moscow reference number: FB_026 1910’s silver, garnets height: 36 cm maker’s mark: incised Cyrillic K. Fabergé with Imperial warrant assay’s mark: Moscow, 1908-1917
Tapering form with gilt interior, chased to front with a vacant decorative cartouche with stylised cornucopia at base, the lower body chased with frieze of leaf motifs on ground of raised beads and edged with bands of bead and scroll motifs, these motifs repeated on a chased band around the circular foot, the neck rim with band of cabochon-set garnets centring rectangular panels decorated with stylised berries, the domed cover with stylised, scroll-chased finial.
188 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Fabergé Silver Imperial Presentation Kovsh Fabergé, Moscow reference number: FB_027 1910’s silver, silver-gilt diameter: 18 cm; overall length: 26 cm maker’s mark: Imperial Warrant mark of Fabergé (Fabergé in Cyrillic) assay mark of Moscow, 1908-1917 silver standard: 88 zolotnik Fabergé inventory number 21294
Silver gem-set Imperial presentation kovsh of flat circular shape, with gilt interior and flat horizontal handle. The upper part of the lobed bowl is chased with a band of doubleheaded eagles set with cabochons. The trefoilshaped handle has a similar design. Beneath it is inscribed in Cyrillic: First prize. 2-versta flat race in Krasnoe Selo 25 July 1913; horse Sally-Snap, rider cornet Voevodsky IV.
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Fabergé Silver Imperial Presentation Flask Fabergé, Moscow reference number: FB_056 1890’s silver height: 42 cm; width: 24 cm maker’s mark: Fabergé in Cyrillics with Imperial warrant mark under the base; Cyrillic initials K.F. of Carl Fabergé on the lid assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.L. of Ivan Lebedkin assay mark of Moscow, before 1899 silver standard: 84 zolotnik Fabergé scratched inventory number 14895
A large silver fluted pear-shaped flask on an oval moulded foot. The shoulders are applied with lion masks from which a chain is suspended. Under the rim runs a band of stylised laurel leaves. The cover is mounted with the Russian Imperial double-headed eagle.The flask was presented as an honorary award by the Russian Emperor to the winner of a shooting competition. The shape of the object derives from traditional pilgrim flasks, or ampullae. In Antiquity and in the early Middle Ages, this type of vessel was used to carry home oils and holy water from great pilgrimage sites across Europe, the Byzantine Empire and the Holy Land. Later, the form was used by decorative artists and became popular as a symbol of piety and good fortune. Particularly grand silver flasks were produced in England throughout the late 17th - 19th century. Many of the later examples were presentation pieces from the Royal Families of Europe. Similar flasks were presented by the Royal Families of Greece and Denmark to Tsar Alexander III on his marriage to Maria Fyodorovna in 1866.
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Following the instructions of the Russian Embassy this prize can only be awarded to a French marksman. 192 • Russian Silver. Enamels. FabergÊ
Emperor Alexander III
Silver Pilgrim Flask R & S Garrard & Co., London, 1891/1892 Obverse with: ‘Pour La Noce D’Argent D’Alexander III Et Marie Fyodorovna (Dagmar De Danemark) Empereur Et Imperatrice De Russie 1866 NovR. 9TH./OctR. 28TH. 1891’ Reverse with: ‘De La Parte De/Georges Roi Des Hellénes./Christian IX Roi De Danemark./Olga Reine Des Hellénes./ Louise Reine de Danemark./Ernest Duke of Cumberland./Frédérick Prince Royal De Danemark./Thyra Duchess Of Cumberland./ Louise Princesse Royal De Danemark./Waldemar Prince De Danemark./Alexandra Princess of Wales./’ Provenance: A silver wedding gift to The Emperor and Empress of Russia, 1891. The Anichkov Palace, St.Petersburg. Acquired by the Moscow Kremlin Armoury Museum from the store of state valuables, 1926. Literature: Falkerzam, 1907, I, table 14. Empress Maria Fyodorovna www.ruzhnikov.com • 193
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Fabergé Silver Model of a Pheasant on a Marble Base Fabergé, Moscow reference number: FB_060 circa 1900 silver, marble height: 13 cm maker’s mark: K.Fabergé with Imperial Warrant above assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.L. for Ivan Lebedkin silver standard: 84 zolotnik Exhibitions Rome, Museo del Corso, Fabergé, 30 October 2003 - 18 January 2004 Bibliography Fabergé, Geza Von Habsburg, Rome, 2003, p. 82
The realistically-chased bird contemplating a caterpillar, mounted on marble pedestal base.
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Fabergé Silver and Cut Crystal Sweet-Meat Dish Fabergé, Moscow reference number: FB_059 circa 1896 silver height: 25.8 cm maker’s mark: Imperial Warrant of K. Fabergé assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials L.O. of Lev Oleks Fabergé scratched inventory number 6874 assay mark of Moscow, 1896 silver standard: 84 zolotnik Provenance Christie’s Geneva, 11 November 1987, Sale GATCHINA, lot 76
Louis XVI-style silver stand and cut crystal sweetmeat dish standing on circular base with four gadrooned peg feet chased with a laurel wreath, on four tapering fluted pilasters and hoof feet, enclosing a gadrooned and fluted inverted element with pine-cone finial.
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Fabergé Silver and Silver-gilt Flatware Set Fabergé, Moscow reference number: FB_030 circa 1910’s silver, silver-gilt, steel maker’s mark: K. Fabergé in Cyrillic with the Imperial Warrant assay’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.L. of Ivan Lebedkin assay mark of Moscow, 1908-1917 silver standard: 84 zolotnik contained in original fitted case
Silver and silver-gilt flatware set in Louis XVI-style with ribbon-tied reeded stem, comprised of 120 pieces. The end of the spoon with the ribbon-tied rim. Each piece is incised with a coat of arms (shield with three lilies and a deer, surmounted by a military helmet with flags and a deer above).
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The set comprises: 12 dinner spoons – 22.5 cm 12 dinner forks – 22.5 cm 12 dinner knives 12 salad knives 12 salad forks 12 tea spoons 12 demitasse spoons – 11.5 cm 12 silver-gilt dessert spoons 12 silver-gilt dessert forks 12 silver-gilt dessert knives
The set contained in a large original oak fitted hinged case with a lock, lined with creamcoloured suede. Inside the lid is stamped with a black double-headed eagle and a text ‘K. Fabergé, Moscow, S. Petersburg, Odessa’. Large pieces are stamped in full K. Fabergé with the Imperial Warrant. Smaller items are marked with the initials KF. www.ruzhnikov.com • 201
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Fabergé Art Nouveau Silver Bowl Modeled as Water-Lily Fabergé, Moscow reference number: FB_063 1890’s silver diameter 13.3 cm maker’s mark: Imperial Warrant mark of Fabergé assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials A.A. of Anatoly Artsybashev assay mark of Moscow, 1894 silver standard: 88 zolotnik
The naturalistically formed flower with five petals standing on a leafy stem, the interior with reeding and pellet-shaped pistils, engraved with Cyrillic monogram ES. Another identical bowl dated 1893 can be seen in the State Historical Museum in Moscow.
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Fabergé Art Nouveau Gem-Set Silver Cigarette Case Fabergé, Moscow reference number: FB_068 circa 1900 silver, sapphires length: 9.2 cm maker’s mark: Imperial Warrant mark of Fabergé assay mark of Moscow, 1899-1908 Exhibitions Wilmington, Delaware, Riverfront Arts Centre, Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, 9 Sept 2000 - 18 Feb 2001, no. 220 University of East Anglia, Norwich, Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, The Russia Season: Royal Fabergé, 14 October - 11 February 2018 Bibliography G. von Habsburg, Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, London, 2000, no. 220, p. 131, illustrated in colour Ian Collins, Fabergé: From St Petersburg to Sandringham, p. 35, illustrated in colour
Art Nouveau gem-set silver cigarette case chased with large four leaf clovers with cabochon sapphire centres and a cabochon-set sapphire thumb-piece. Fabergé Silver Art Nouveau Cigarette Case with Poppy Flower Fabergé, Moscow reference number: FB_067 circa 1900 silver, cabochon cut emerald length: 10.7 cm maker’s mark: Fabergé Imperial Warrant assay’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.L. of Ivan Lebedkin assay mark of Moscow, 1899-1908 silver standard: 84 zolotnik Exhibitions University of East Anglia, Norwich, Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, The Russia Season: Royal Fabergé, 14 October - 11 February 2018 Bibliography Ian Collins, Fabergé: From St Petersburg to Sandringham, p. 35, illustrated in colour
Polished silver hinged cigarette case by Fabergé Moscow workshop, with rounded corners, push piece mounted with cabochon Ural emerald. Cover in Art Nouveau style with two stem poppies, the big flower leaning left, as if wind blown, below is a variegated leaf. Reverse with a monogram ‘Ksh’ (‘КЩ’) in Cyrillic.
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Fabergé Pair of Silver-Gilt and Cut-Glass Claret Jugs Fabergé, Moscow reference number: FB_029 circa 1900 silver-gilt, cut-glass height: 26.5 cm maker’s mark: Cyrillic K.Fabergé with Imperial Warrant assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.L. of Ivan Lebedkin silver standard: 84 zolotnik Provenance Sale Christie’s NY, 17 October 1979, lot 108
The cut-glass bodies with silver-gilt mounts, the cylindrical necks chased with acanthus leaves above girdles of laurel leaves, the hinged covers with narrow Greek key pattern border and pine cone finials atop an acanthus leaf quatrefoil, the spouts engraved with monogram MBT, applied below the necks with laurel leaf swags, the angular handles with applied ribbons and further decorated with three projecting buds.
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206 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Fabergé Grand Duchess Xenia Silver Presentation Plate Fabergé, Moscow reference number: FB_065 1900’s silver diameter: 24.8 cm maker’s mark: Imperial Warrant of K. Fabergé assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.L. of Ivan Lebedkin assay mark of Moscow, 1899-1908 silver standard: 84 zolotnik Exhibitions Wilmington, Delaware, Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, 9 Sept 2000 - 18 Feb 2001 No. 130 Bibliography G. von Habsburg, A. von Solodkoff, Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, London, 2000, p.96
Silver presentation plate with the rim chased with an oak leaf wreath, and the cavetto engraved with an Imperial double headed eagle. Inscribed on the reverse in Cyrillic: ‘‘August 16, 1874-1899 from Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna’’. Grand Duchess Xenia (1875-1960) was daughter of Tsar Alexander III and sister of Tsar Nicholas II. Grand Duchess Xenia www.ruzhnikov.com • 207
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Fabergé Silver Commemorative War Bowl Fabergé, Moscow reference number: FB_069 1914 silver diameter: 10.9 cm; weight: 145 gr maker’s mark: Imperial Warrant mark of Fabergé assay mark of Moscow, 19081917
Circular silver bowl, the base is repousse with double-headed Imperial eagle stippled with the Cyrillic inscription “War 1914”, the exterior is decorated with reeded band and the engraved Russian inscription “to Scout from Captain second rank Sablin”. The piece is an example of Fabergé’s production made during the World War I. Such bowls were produced in copper or silver by the firm at the beginning of the war in 1914. Similar items can be seen in the State Historical Museum in Moscow, the State Hermitage in St.Petersburg.
208 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Fabergé Silver Cigarette Case Fabergé, Moscow reference number: FB_054 1900’s silver length: 10.5 cm maker’s mark: Fabergé assay mark of Moscow, 1898-1908 silver standard: 88 zolotnik
A silver cigarette case rectangular shaped with rounded corners, the hinged cover repoussé and chased with canons and male figures, with cabochon thumb-piece. Fabergé Silver Cigarette Case Fabergé, St.Petersburg reference number: FB_055 1900’s silver length: 9.8 cm maker’s mark: Fabergé workmaster’s mark: Latin initials A.H. of August Hollming assay’s mark: Cyrillic initials Ya.L. of Yakov Lyapunov assay mark of St.Petersburg, 1899-1907 silver standard: 88 zolotnik Fabergé inventory number: 6594
Reeded silver cigarette case of unusual structural design: the spring-loaded top once lifted releases two hinged halves that form the case. Both sides of the case are decorated with interlocking tapering flutes; the gilt interior with restraining band is engraved with a cypher. August Frederik Hollming (1854-1913) - Russian jeweller, silver- and goldsmith of Finnish descent. He started working for Fabergé in 1880’s, and was one of the firm’s leading workmasters. He produced a great number of finely crafted gold and enamelled cigarette cases and small jewellery objects.
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210 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Fabergé Silver Bell Push Modeled as a Seated Boar Fabergé, Moscow reference number: FB_004 circa 1899-1908 silver, cabochon cut garnet height: 12 cm; weight: 480 gr maker’s mark: Imperial Warrant mark of Fabergé (Fabergé in Cyrillic) assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.L. of Ivan Lebedkin assay mark of St.Petersburg, 1899-1908 silver standard: 84 zolotniks
Whimsically sculpted and realistically hand chased in silver. The razorback pig represented as seated on hind legs, finely detailed body simulating fur, curled tail above bell pull string; the head is pointed upwards, with the eyes half-shut he appears to be smiling. A cabochon-set red garnet button is mounted on boar’s nose. A similar pig bell push made in Rappoport’s workshop is illustrated in Sotheby’s New York, 6 December 1995, lot 398. For another smaller one see Sotheby’s Geneva November 15, 1988 catalog, lot 168.
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212 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
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214 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Fabergé Silver Model of Cannon Fabergé, St.Petersburg reference number: FB_028 circa 1900 silver length: 25.5 cm maker’s mark: Fabergé workmaster’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.R. of Julius Rappoport assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials Ya.L. of Yakov Lyapunov assay mark of St.Petersburg, 1899-1908 silver standard: 84 zolotnik Exhibitions Fabergé, Rome, Museo Del Corso, 30 Oct 2003 - 18 Jan 2004 University of East Anglia, Norwich, Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, The Russia Season: Royal Fabergé, 14 October - 11 February 2018 Bibliography G. von Habsburg, Fabergé , Rome, 2003, p. 64 Ian Collins, Fabergé: From St Petersburg to Sandringham, p. 122, illustrated in colour
Miniature silver model of a First World War field cannon with a springloaded barrel and a loading breach action. Several meticulously fashioned toys of this nature were made for the Tsarevich Alexei. For a Volga steamer presented to the Tsarevich in 1913 see Ch. Forbes, R. Tromeur-Brenner, Fabergé. The Forbes Collection, New York, 1999, pp. 250-1.
Julius Rappoport Julius Alexandrovitch Rappoport (1864-1916) - Russian silversmith of Jewish origin, one of the most famous Fabergé’s workmasters. Julius Rappoport opened his first own workshop in St.Petersburg in 1883, but then moved to Moscow to join Fabergé firm. His maker’s mark was IP and in Russian Cyrillic (ИР). Between 1886 and 1908, Rappoport was one four ‘’workmasters’’, main leaders of Fabergé workshops. He was Fabergé’s most important supplier of large silver objects. He is best known for his naturalistic animal figures, but he also executed special commissions for the Russian Imperial Family, the Imperial Cabinet and noble families.
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Fabergé Silver Inkstand and Pair of Candlesticks Fabergé, St.Petersburg reference number: FB_064 before 1899 silver inkstand’s length: 31.7 cm candlesticks’ height: 20 cm maker’s mark: Imperial Warrant mark of Fabergé (Fabergé in Cyrillic) workmaster’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.R. of Julius Rappoport assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials A.R. of A. Richter assay mark of St.Petersburg, 1899-1908 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Silver inkstand and a pair of candlesticks of Rococo design, comprising a stand, sand-box and inkwell the stand of openwork outline standing on scroll feet, chased overall with rocaille, scrolls and flowers; the candlesticks on shaped circular foot, cast and elaborately chased with spiral scrolls and rocaille, the vase-shaped stem and sockets similarly chased. The inkstand signed Fabergé, Imperial Warrant. 216 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
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Fabergé Silver Table Lighter Modeled as Samovar Fabergé, St.Petersburg reference number: FB_062 1890’s silver, ebony height: 19.5 cm maker’s mark: Imperial Warrant mark of Fabergé (Fabergé in Cyrillic) workmaster’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.R. of Julius Rappoport assay mark of St. Petersburg, before 1899 silver standard: 88 zolotnik Exhibitions Fabergé, Rome, Museo Del Corso, 30 October 2003 - 18 January 2004 Bibliography G. von Habsburg, Fabergé, Rome, 2003, p. 65
Silver table lighter shaped as a miniature Russian samovar with turned ebony handles. Table-lighters shaped as samovars were a speciality of Fabergé. Several smaller examples in gold by Wigström have survived (see Géza von Habsburg and Marina Lopato, Fabergé Imperial Jeweler. A. Abrams, 1993, cat. 163).
218 • Russian Silver. Enamels. Fabergé
Fabergé Silver Model of The Tsar Bell Fabergé, Moscow reference number: FB_061 circa 1900 silver height: 16 cm maker’s mark: Imperial Warrant mark of Fabergé assay master’s mark: Cyrillic initials I.L. of Ivan Lebedkin assay mark of Moscow, 1899-1908 silver standard: 84 zolotnik
Silver table bell, a realistically cast and chased miniature replica of the ‘’Tsar Bell’’ in the Moscow Kremlin. Its surface shows all the details of the original Tsar Bell from the Kremlin including the part that cracked and fell off. Tsarina Anna appears on one side, her dress is overstamped with a Russian double-headed eagle. The upper part of the bell contains two oval icons of Christ surrounded with seraphs. The Tsar Bell (Tsar Kolokol) was cast by Matorin of Moscow in 1735 at the command of Tsarina Anna. A piece broke off in a fire in 1737 and the bell lay imbedded in the ground for a century before the architect Montferrand succeeded in raising it to its present position in front of the Ivan Veliki belltower. It is the largest bell in the world, measuring 5.60 meters in height, weighs 200 tons and is 56 cm thick at the base. The bell has been the object of innumerable miniature replicas in bronze and silver.
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Credits Photography: Andy Johnson, London, UK Design: Mariya Kiseleva, Moscow, Russia Printed: Artveneto, Vicenza, Italy Chief consultant: Krysenok Diplodok
220 • Russian Silver. Enamels. FabergÊ
Andre Ruzhnikov +44-7866-638-973 +1-917-244-3777 +7-905-715-5530 ruzhnikov.com e-mail: andre@ruzhnikov.com info@ruzhnikov.com
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