Sotheby's Important Russian Enamels and Fabergé from a Private New York Collection - New York, 4 November 2010
Sotheby’s New York auction of Important Russian Enamels and Fabergé from a Private New York Collection on 4 November comprises a group of over 80 items painstakingly assembled over decades of collecting. The sale offers several works with noble provenance, and features a unique group of parasol and cane handles. The items will be on exhibition beginning 28 October, and together are estimated at $1.7/2.5 million.
Important works by Feodor Rückert are led by A Fine and Massive Russian Gilded Silver and Shaded Enamel Large Wedding Kovsh, retailed by Ovchinnikov, Moscow, circa 1900 (est. $200/300,000). Large panels on either side of the kovsh depict the selection of a bride in an old boyar household, and the subsequent wedding feast of the young couple. According to family tradition of the owner who sold the kovsh in 1981, Emperor Nicholas II presented the piece to a family member who was a high-ranking French cavalry officer in 1896.
Another highlight with noble provenance is A Presentation Gilded Silver and Enamel Bread and Salt Dish, Lyubavin, St. Petersburg, circa 1902, which was presented to Nicholas II’s cousin Grand Duchess Elena Vladimirovna on the occasion of her marriage to Prince Nicholas of Greece and Denmark in 1902 (est. $80/120,000). Elena was initially engaged to Prince Maximilian of Baden, who later backed out of the engagement. When she met Prince Nicholas in 1900, her parents initially opposed the match, but the couple was finally permitted to marry two years later.
A unique feature of this extraordinary collection is a large and varied group of parasol and cane handles, produced by Fabergé workmasters to suit every occasion and please every taste. Among the highlights long-hidden in this group is A Rare Fabergé Diamond-Set Carved Rhodonite, Vari-Color Gold, and Enamel Parasol Handle, Workmaster Henrik Wigström, St. Petersburg, circa 1904-1908 (est. $60/90,000). The handle is formed as a carved rhodonite horse head, resembling the knight in a game of chess. The piece belonged to Princess Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood.
