“A” IS FOR AIVAZOVSKY AS BONHAMS RUSSIAN SALE BOASTS A CYRILLIC WHO’S WHO
On 30th November at Bonhams New Bond Street will host the sale of Russian Art, featuring the eminent names of both Aivazovsky and Fabergé.
The first painting by Aivazovsky, whose career spanned almost the entire 19th century, is named “The Morning Catch”. It is signed in Cyrillic and dated '1870' (lower right) and further signed in Latin and dated '1870' (lower left). The exceptional seascape oil painting is expected to fetch between £150,000 and £250,000 for the much sought-after artist.
Another major lot within the sale includes a silver-gilt, shaded enamel and plique-à-jour kovsh by Fabergé. The bowl also has an exceptional provenance, as it is presumed to be from the consignor's great aunt, governess to the Nobel family. Created by workmaster Feodor Ruckert, (1908-1917), the stunning bowl with floral motifs, wirework scrolling and foil-backed cloisons on green ground, is expected to fetch upwards of £10,000.
The second painting by Aivazovsky, anticipated to exceed £30,000, is ‘And the Spirit of God moved on the face of the waters’, dated 1838, and signed in Cyrillic 'I. Aivazovsky' and dated '1838.' (lower right). This painting appears to mark the genesis of the ideas behind the much larger 'Chaos', 1841 in the Monastery of Saint Lazarus, Venice. God appears to emerge resplendently to part the dark clouds and calm the waters: 'And the Spirit of God moved on the face of the waters.', Genesis 1;2.
The painting was acquired by the great-grandmother of the present owner, a Greek living in Odessa, married into an important shipping family who operated in and around the Black Sea.
Other major lots featured in the sale include Nikolai Fechin’s “Portrait of a young girl”, signed in Latin which is expected to fetch between £55,000-85,000. Also featured is a further piece marked Fabergé, which is a silver-gilt and guilloché enamel miniature tankard, created by workmaster Anders Nevalainen, St. Petersburg (1898-1908). This piece is expected to fetch between £45,000-55,000.
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Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son and Neale UK. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street, and Knightsbridge, and a further seven throughout the UK. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York and Boston in the USA; and Switzerland, France, Monaco, Australia, Hong Kong and Dubai. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 50 specialist areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, go towww.bonhams.com.
