19th CENTURY QUILL PEN GIVEN TO RUSSIAN PRINCE TO SELL FOR £100,000 AT BONHAMS
A rare Commemorative Jewelled Silver-Gilt Presentation Quill Pen created in 1867 by the Sazikov Firm in St. Petersburg will be offered by Bonhams in the Russian Sale on December 1st. It is estimated to sell for £80,000 – 100,000.
Formed as a quill, encrusted with seed pearls and emeralds, this extraordinary pen was presented on 13th June, 1867 to Prince Aleksander Gorchakov by the wives of St. Petersburg aristocrats to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his service at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The six dates engraved on the reverse side mark the ascending steps in the remarkable career of a legendary diplomat, statesman and professional politician.
As one of the most powerful foreign ministers in Europe, Gorchakov took part in every important diplomatic negotiation, treaty and foreign policy initiative that shaped Russia’s standing in European politics during the second half of the 19th century. Deeply committed to protecting Russia’s foreign interests, Gorchakov devoted his entire life to raising the prestige of Russia on the international arena. He has an enduring reputation as one of the most influential and respected diplomats of the 19th century.
This jewelled token of appreciation, decorated with Gorchakov’s monogram under the princely crown and fitted in the original box with the family crest, symbolised many extraordinary achievements of a remarkable Russian statesman.
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 five throughout the UK. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Carmel, New York and Boston in the USA; Toronto, Canada; and France, Monaco, Australia, Hong Kong and Dubai. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 27 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 57 specialist areas. By the end of 2009, Bonhams had become UK market leaders in ten key specialist collecting areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, go to www.bonhams.com
