Russia 1700-1900
See also : Orientalism 1850-1900 European ceramics Silverware Gold coins Silver coins World coins Early 19th century coins Medal and decoration
Chronology : 1770-1779 1790-1799 1820-1829 1830-1839 1840-1849 1850-1859
Chronology : 1770-1779 1790-1799 1820-1829 1830-1839 1840-1849 1850-1859
1740 silver pattern coin for Ivan VI
2012 SOLD 3.6 MCHF before fees by Sincona
Shared post sale by Coin World.
1755 Gold 20 roubles coin of Elizabeth
2008 SOLD for £ 1.86M including premium by St. James's
1770 Catherine the Great promotes the French Taste
2013 SOLD 1.78 M€ including premium
In 1770, the Empress Catherine desires a full service of silverware. It must be gorgeous and she decides to have it done in Paris. The silversmiths Roettiers father and son realize about 3000 pieces in a remarkably short time, 18 months.
Catherine was so happy with the result that she offered the service to her favorite, Count Orloff, and then took the whole back for her shortly after his death. Known afterwards as the Orloff service, this is a great example of the neoclassical style that took over the rococo with more power in the shape and better simplicity in the decoration.
Many pieces have disappeared, probably melted, and what remained was dispersed by the Soviet government. The arrival on the market of heavy pieces from the Orloff service is always an event.
On 19 April 2002, Christie's sold for $ 930K including premium a pair of high vase-shaped coolers. The total weight of this lot was 9468 g.
Two lots of pieces from the Orloff service are sold by Christie's in Paris on November 8.
The tureen with cover and stand made in 1770 by the younger Roettiers is estimated € 1.5 million, for a total weight of 11960 g. Here is the link to the catalog.
A suite of four candlesticks made in 1771 also by the son is estimated € 500K, for a total weight of 7460 g. Here is the link to the catalog.
POST SALE COMMENT
The result is consistent with the expectation for these two prestigious lots: € 1.78 million including premium for the tureen and € 600K including premium for the suite of candlesticks.
Catherine was so happy with the result that she offered the service to her favorite, Count Orloff, and then took the whole back for her shortly after his death. Known afterwards as the Orloff service, this is a great example of the neoclassical style that took over the rococo with more power in the shape and better simplicity in the decoration.
Many pieces have disappeared, probably melted, and what remained was dispersed by the Soviet government. The arrival on the market of heavy pieces from the Orloff service is always an event.
On 19 April 2002, Christie's sold for $ 930K including premium a pair of high vase-shaped coolers. The total weight of this lot was 9468 g.
Two lots of pieces from the Orloff service are sold by Christie's in Paris on November 8.
The tureen with cover and stand made in 1770 by the younger Roettiers is estimated € 1.5 million, for a total weight of 11960 g. Here is the link to the catalog.
A suite of four candlesticks made in 1771 also by the son is estimated € 500K, for a total weight of 7460 g. Here is the link to the catalog.
POST SALE COMMENT
The result is consistent with the expectation for these two prestigious lots: € 1.78 million including premium for the tureen and € 600K including premium for the suite of candlesticks.
1797 The Order of St. Andrew
2012 SOLD 1.73 M€ including premium
The order of St. Andrew was created by Peter the Great in imitation of the English orders. This system enabling to distinguish the members of the Imperial family and the grand courtiers was widely used by the Romanov.
In 1797, the new Tsar Paul I gave its official status to this order, accompanied by some charitable duties. The insignia consisted of a star, a large collar and a jewel constituted by a cross of St Andrew resting on the two-headed eagle under a crown.
On June 20 in Paris, Damien Libert sells a complete set of Knight of the Order of St. Andrew made in the period of the reforms of Paul I. The recipient is not identified but he was certainly a French aristocrat involved in the Russian army or at the court: the name of the fifth duc de Richelieu is advanced in the catalog with a good probability.
The cross and the 23 links of the collar are crafted in gold and enamel. The star is made of silver sequins. The lower estimate is announced by La Gazette Drouot at € 400K and at € 500K by the press release. Let us rather state that it is difficult to predict the price of this very rare complete set.
Only members of the Imperial family could crimp their badges of St. Andrew with precious stones. The cross, also from the time of Paul I, sold £ 2.7 million including premium by Sotheby's on 12 June 2008 was exceptional: it was set with 45 carats of diamonds and the eagle eyes were rubies.
POST SALE COMMENT
This set was worth more than its estimate, of course, and less than the Imperial jewel that I had taken as a reference. The result, € 1.73 million including premium, is very satisfactory.
In 1797, the new Tsar Paul I gave its official status to this order, accompanied by some charitable duties. The insignia consisted of a star, a large collar and a jewel constituted by a cross of St Andrew resting on the two-headed eagle under a crown.
On June 20 in Paris, Damien Libert sells a complete set of Knight of the Order of St. Andrew made in the period of the reforms of Paul I. The recipient is not identified but he was certainly a French aristocrat involved in the Russian army or at the court: the name of the fifth duc de Richelieu is advanced in the catalog with a good probability.
The cross and the 23 links of the collar are crafted in gold and enamel. The star is made of silver sequins. The lower estimate is announced by La Gazette Drouot at € 400K and at € 500K by the press release. Let us rather state that it is difficult to predict the price of this very rare complete set.
Only members of the Imperial family could crimp their badges of St. Andrew with precious stones. The cross, also from the time of Paul I, sold £ 2.7 million including premium by Sotheby's on 12 June 2008 was exceptional: it was set with 45 carats of diamonds and the eagle eyes were rubies.
POST SALE COMMENT
This set was worth more than its estimate, of course, and less than the Imperial jewel that I had taken as a reference. The result, € 1.73 million including premium, is very satisfactory.
>1797 What sort of Badge was worn at the Imperial Court of Russia
2008 SOLD 2.7 M£ including premium
All observers say and assess that what comes from Russia is in the top fashion of the time being, and that greatly interested Russian buyers are keen to reconstitute their past.
We also know that everything coming from imperial origines of all countries make collectors and scholars dreaming.
The brooch (the word used in English by Sotheby's is badge), which is lot 540 of the sale of Sotheby's in London on June 12, comes from the crown jewels of Imperial Russia. In imposing size (13 x 9 cm, 160 grams), its low estimate of 400 K£ is even less surprising when we know that it is covered with 45 carats of diamonds.
Its drawing, very fine, has two bodies: the main part is an eagle with two heads and with wings and tail deployed. This one is partly covered by a cross of St Andrew with the image of the saint. Over it, there is the beautiful image of the imperial crown. All of this is in diamonds except the eyes of the eagle which are rubies and beaks and claws which are gold.
The jewel was made around 1800 as a decoration of the Order of St. Andrew. It was a privilege of the tsar's family to wear this type of decorations in the great occasions of the State. The descent from that piece is known: given by the Imperial family to the ducal family of Oldenburg, it returned in 1890 to Empress Maria Feodorovna, who wore it.
The estimate is very open, with a high estimate at 600 K £. But is there really a price for such a treasure?
POST SALE COMMENT
The treasure has now a price: £ 2.7 million charge included.
It is an excellent result which will refer.
We also know that everything coming from imperial origines of all countries make collectors and scholars dreaming.
The brooch (the word used in English by Sotheby's is badge), which is lot 540 of the sale of Sotheby's in London on June 12, comes from the crown jewels of Imperial Russia. In imposing size (13 x 9 cm, 160 grams), its low estimate of 400 K£ is even less surprising when we know that it is covered with 45 carats of diamonds.
Its drawing, very fine, has two bodies: the main part is an eagle with two heads and with wings and tail deployed. This one is partly covered by a cross of St Andrew with the image of the saint. Over it, there is the beautiful image of the imperial crown. All of this is in diamonds except the eyes of the eagle which are rubies and beaks and claws which are gold.
The jewel was made around 1800 as a decoration of the Order of St. Andrew. It was a privilege of the tsar's family to wear this type of decorations in the great occasions of the State. The descent from that piece is known: given by the Imperial family to the ducal family of Oldenburg, it returned in 1890 to Empress Maria Feodorovna, who wore it.
The estimate is very open, with a high estimate at 600 K £. But is there really a price for such a treasure?
POST SALE COMMENT
The treasure has now a price: £ 2.7 million charge included.
It is an excellent result which will refer.
1827 pattern rouble of Nicholas I
2013 SOLD 2.05 MCHF before fees by Sincona
1833 The Gigantic Porcelains of St. Petersburg
2013 SOLD 2.2 M£ including premium
A pair of vases had been announced in an auction scheduled for April 17, 2013 with an estimate of $ 1M to 1.5M The auction house, Dallas Auction Gallery, had preferred to accept an offer before the sale and the pair was removed. Bloomberg reported for this private transaction a price of $ 2.7 M.
This exceptional lot is now estimated £ 2M, for sale by Sotheby's in London on November 26. I republish below my article issued before the cancellation of the Dallas auction lot.
In a style imitating Sèvres, the porcelains from the Imperial Factory of St. Petersburg reached gigantic sizes in the reign of Nicholas I, becoming one of the best symbols of the Tsarist opulence at that time. These vases, most often presented in pairs, are true engineering feats.
During the 1920s that were so difficult economically for Russia, one of these pairs was purchased by an American oil tycoon to garnish his mansion in Oklahoma City. They were in this place since so long that the heirs were not aware of their historical importance and felt them rather cumbersome.
Like all other pieces in this category, they are bandeau shaped with gilt handles of acanthus leaves. The picture on one of them, showing a concert, is a copy of a painting that was lent by the Hermitage to the Factory in 1832 to serve as a model.
The porcelains of Oklahoma are dated 1833 and their height, 1.38 m, is particularly noteworthy. The later pair unsold at Christie's in November 2011, dated 1835 and 1836, had the same size. Made still later, in 1848, the pair sold £ 2.6 million including premium by Sotheby's on 10 June 2009 had the largest size reached during the reign of Nicholas, 1.50 m.
POST SALE COMMENT
This lot was sold for £ 2.2 million including premium, confirming the opinion of Sotheby's that it is one of the most beautiful pair of vases from St. Petersburg.
I invite you to play the video shared by Sotheby's :
This exceptional lot is now estimated £ 2M, for sale by Sotheby's in London on November 26. I republish below my article issued before the cancellation of the Dallas auction lot.
In a style imitating Sèvres, the porcelains from the Imperial Factory of St. Petersburg reached gigantic sizes in the reign of Nicholas I, becoming one of the best symbols of the Tsarist opulence at that time. These vases, most often presented in pairs, are true engineering feats.
During the 1920s that were so difficult economically for Russia, one of these pairs was purchased by an American oil tycoon to garnish his mansion in Oklahoma City. They were in this place since so long that the heirs were not aware of their historical importance and felt them rather cumbersome.
Like all other pieces in this category, they are bandeau shaped with gilt handles of acanthus leaves. The picture on one of them, showing a concert, is a copy of a painting that was lent by the Hermitage to the Factory in 1832 to serve as a model.
The porcelains of Oklahoma are dated 1833 and their height, 1.38 m, is particularly noteworthy. The later pair unsold at Christie's in November 2011, dated 1835 and 1836, had the same size. Made still later, in 1848, the pair sold £ 2.6 million including premium by Sotheby's on 10 June 2009 had the largest size reached during the reign of Nicholas, 1.50 m.
POST SALE COMMENT
This lot was sold for £ 2.2 million including premium, confirming the opinion of Sotheby's that it is one of the most beautiful pair of vases from St. Petersburg.
I invite you to play the video shared by Sotheby's :
1833 The Battles of Tsar Nicholas I
2011 SOLD 2 M$ including premium
A table in gilded bronze with an opulent decoration is for sale on April 12 at Sotheby's in New York. Clearly designed for obtaining the favor of Tsar Nicholas I, it shows the emblems and trophies of his military glory, which was great! Indeed this domineering monarch intervened in any conflict involving the neighboring countries of his empire.
The tabletop of 104 cm in diameter is mounted on a single central pedestal flanked by three big double-headed eagles. It is decorated with a large rectangular micromosaic showing a decisive battle of the Russo-Turkish war of 1828-1829, which is illustrated in the press release shared by Artdaily.
The mosaic dated 1833 was made in Rome by Gioacchino Barberi after a watercolor of Alexander Orlovski.
Russian art lovers are looking especially to memories directly related to their sovereigns. Unfortunately there is no evidence that this table has reached the Tsar. Although this piece is perhaps unique in its kind, the estimate, $ 400K, is ambitious.
POST SALE COMMENT
Scarcity and quality prevailed: $ 2M including premium.
The tabletop of 104 cm in diameter is mounted on a single central pedestal flanked by three big double-headed eagles. It is decorated with a large rectangular micromosaic showing a decisive battle of the Russo-Turkish war of 1828-1829, which is illustrated in the press release shared by Artdaily.
The mosaic dated 1833 was made in Rome by Gioacchino Barberi after a watercolor of Alexander Orlovski.
Russian art lovers are looking especially to memories directly related to their sovereigns. Unfortunately there is no evidence that this table has reached the Tsar. Although this piece is perhaps unique in its kind, the estimate, $ 400K, is ambitious.
POST SALE COMMENT
Scarcity and quality prevailed: $ 2M including premium.
1848 The Presentation of the Ceramics to the Tsar
2009 SOLD 2.6 M£ including premium
Twice a year, at Easter and Christmas, the Imperial manufactories of porcelain and glassware offered to the Tsar the most prestigious pieces created in their workshops. Thus the Emperor Nicholas I furnished the private apartments of the Imperial Palace.
Financially, these gifts were offset by increasing orders from the Emperor for offering similar pieces to his allies in the ruling royal and ducal families of other countries. I have already had occasion to note in this group the role that gifting had for aristocratic cohesion at the Imperial court of Russia.
The pair of porcelain vases from St. Petersburg that Sotheby's is selling in London on June 10 is a technical feat. Dated 1848, 1.5 meters high, it is the largest format that has been done at that time by this factory.
These enormous vases are adorned with ring shaped reproductions of paintings from the collection of Catherine the Great, in this case two stables scenes of Philips Wouwerman.
Russians love the memories of the palace. The estimate also is imperial: £ 1.2 million.
POST SALE COMMENT
The estimate was literally exploded, which is rare at such a price level. This confirms the exceptional nature of this pair of vases, sold £ 2.6 million including premium.
Financially, these gifts were offset by increasing orders from the Emperor for offering similar pieces to his allies in the ruling royal and ducal families of other countries. I have already had occasion to note in this group the role that gifting had for aristocratic cohesion at the Imperial court of Russia.
The pair of porcelain vases from St. Petersburg that Sotheby's is selling in London on June 10 is a technical feat. Dated 1848, 1.5 meters high, it is the largest format that has been done at that time by this factory.
These enormous vases are adorned with ring shaped reproductions of paintings from the collection of Catherine the Great, in this case two stables scenes of Philips Wouwerman.
Russians love the memories of the palace. The estimate also is imperial: £ 1.2 million.
POST SALE COMMENT
The estimate was literally exploded, which is rare at such a price level. This confirms the exceptional nature of this pair of vases, sold £ 2.6 million including premium.
1856 view of Constantinople by Aivazovsky
2012 SOLD for £ 3.23M including premium by Sotheby's
Link to catalogue.
Shared by Wikimedia :
Shared by Wikimedia :
1860 Ivan Shishkin at the School of the Forest
2010 SOLD 1.87 M£ including premium
The Imperial Academy of Arts of St. Petersburg trained the best landscape painters of the mid-nineteenth century.
We have already met Mikhail Klodt choosing for his masterpiece of 1858 a bucolic view in Livonia. Here is now Ivan Shishkin, also just out of the same school in 1860.
Throughout his life, Shishkin will show the vast Russian forests. The quality of light and the realistic precision of his paintings made him the undisputed master of clearings and woods.
In 1860, he chose Valaam, a small island in Lake Ladoga in Karelia, famous for its beautiful rocky landscapes. His oil on canvas, 105 x 148 cm, still has a small taste of romantism with its boat of wanderers in the background. It is estimated £ 900K, for sale on December 2 by MacDougall's in London, and is illustrated in the article shared by Artdaily.
The circle of the Itinerants will be founded in 1870, and Shishkin is to be one of the most famous members. The paintings of this artist that we see at auction are usually subsequent to that date.
POST SALE COMMENT
The fans liked this early work of Shishkin well beyond the estimate. It was sold £ 1.87 million including premium.
In the same sale, a small oil on canvas by Nikolai Fechin, 76 x 51 cm, titled the Little Cowboy, was sold £ 7M including premium on an estimate of £ 500K. Remember that Fechin is this Russian artist who specialized in the Far West and has lived in Taos.
We have already met Mikhail Klodt choosing for his masterpiece of 1858 a bucolic view in Livonia. Here is now Ivan Shishkin, also just out of the same school in 1860.
Throughout his life, Shishkin will show the vast Russian forests. The quality of light and the realistic precision of his paintings made him the undisputed master of clearings and woods.
In 1860, he chose Valaam, a small island in Lake Ladoga in Karelia, famous for its beautiful rocky landscapes. His oil on canvas, 105 x 148 cm, still has a small taste of romantism with its boat of wanderers in the background. It is estimated £ 900K, for sale on December 2 by MacDougall's in London, and is illustrated in the article shared by Artdaily.
The circle of the Itinerants will be founded in 1870, and Shishkin is to be one of the most famous members. The paintings of this artist that we see at auction are usually subsequent to that date.
POST SALE COMMENT
The fans liked this early work of Shishkin well beyond the estimate. It was sold £ 1.87 million including premium.
In the same sale, a small oil on canvas by Nikolai Fechin, 76 x 51 cm, titled the Little Cowboy, was sold £ 7M including premium on an estimate of £ 500K. Remember that Fechin is this Russian artist who specialized in the Far West and has lived in Taos.
1873 The Mystery of the Mary Celeste
2007 SOLD for £ 2.7M including premium by Christie's
2015 UNSOLD
PRE 2015 SALE DISCUSSION
Ivan Aivazovsky had traveled extensively during the 1840s, first to finish his studies and then as an official painter to the Russian navy.
He became a specialist of the Grand Tour images on which his deeply glowing romantic skies illuminated easily recognizable landscapes, mostly but not only by the sea. He maintained throughout his career this Mediterranean imaging which opened to him the access to lucrative exhibitions in Europe.
An oil on canvas 109 x 132 cm dated 1873 assesses his attentive interest in maritime events.
In December 1872 a two-masted American ship named Mary Celeste was found abandoned at sea between Azores and Portugal. The lifeboat was gone but the cargo had not been looted. The ghost ship was conducted to Gibraltar where it was awaiting the outcome of the judicial investigation.
Aivazovsky's painting is titled American shipping off the Rock of Gibraltar. Far away in the mist, the steep profile of the rock is perfectly recognizable. The rough seas are shaking the tall ship while a lifeboat filled to the brim by sailors adds an epic dimension into the forefront.
This painting was sold for £ 2.7 million including premium byChristie's in London on 13 June 2007. It comes back in the same auction room on June 1, lot 53 estimated £ 2M.
No seafarer from the Mary Celeste was ever retrieved and the mystery was never cleared up.
Shared by Wikimedia :
Ivan Aivazovsky had traveled extensively during the 1840s, first to finish his studies and then as an official painter to the Russian navy.
He became a specialist of the Grand Tour images on which his deeply glowing romantic skies illuminated easily recognizable landscapes, mostly but not only by the sea. He maintained throughout his career this Mediterranean imaging which opened to him the access to lucrative exhibitions in Europe.
An oil on canvas 109 x 132 cm dated 1873 assesses his attentive interest in maritime events.
In December 1872 a two-masted American ship named Mary Celeste was found abandoned at sea between Azores and Portugal. The lifeboat was gone but the cargo had not been looted. The ghost ship was conducted to Gibraltar where it was awaiting the outcome of the judicial investigation.
Aivazovsky's painting is titled American shipping off the Rock of Gibraltar. Far away in the mist, the steep profile of the rock is perfectly recognizable. The rough seas are shaking the tall ship while a lifeboat filled to the brim by sailors adds an epic dimension into the forefront.
This painting was sold for £ 2.7 million including premium byChristie's in London on 13 June 2007. It comes back in the same auction room on June 1, lot 53 estimated £ 2M.
No seafarer from the Mary Celeste was ever retrieved and the mystery was never cleared up.
Shared by Wikimedia :
1875 Artist's Life in Paris
2011 SOLD 4.5 M£ including premium
Paris had fun. The citizens dream of slum and the misers dream of gentry. It is the time of Offenbach and Zola.
Young Russian artist who came to Paris in 1873 to complete his training, Ilya Repin is carried into the vortex, like the Baron of La Vie Parisienne, the great theater success on the boulevard.
Painstakingly, after long watching of his fellow poets, artists and actresses, he painted this "Café du Boulevard" which was exhibited at the Salon in 1875, and raised the wrath of his Russian teachers.
Taking on a cosmopolitan mix as a theme is a betrayal by a young man who was trained to illustrate the beauty of traditions. Still worse, it is a café, that place of subversion housing since the French Révolution the most passionate political discussions.
This large oil on canvas, 120 x 192 cm, shown on the release shared by Artdaily, is for sale by Christie's in London on June 6.
Repin admired Manet but did not follow the path of the Impressionists. He will become a respected classical artist, author of realistic portraits and historical, social and religious scenes.
The café scene is a daring feat of his early career, when he was still tempted at rebelling against the official schools. But it also paved the way for similar themes, the following year, by Renoir and Manet. This is not necessarily what buyers are seeking, and the estimate, £ 3M, is ambitious.
Young Russian artist who came to Paris in 1873 to complete his training, Ilya Repin is carried into the vortex, like the Baron of La Vie Parisienne, the great theater success on the boulevard.
Painstakingly, after long watching of his fellow poets, artists and actresses, he painted this "Café du Boulevard" which was exhibited at the Salon in 1875, and raised the wrath of his Russian teachers.
Taking on a cosmopolitan mix as a theme is a betrayal by a young man who was trained to illustrate the beauty of traditions. Still worse, it is a café, that place of subversion housing since the French Révolution the most passionate political discussions.
This large oil on canvas, 120 x 192 cm, shown on the release shared by Artdaily, is for sale by Christie's in London on June 6.
Repin admired Manet but did not follow the path of the Impressionists. He will become a respected classical artist, author of realistic portraits and historical, social and religious scenes.
The café scene is a daring feat of his early career, when he was still tempted at rebelling against the official schools. But it also paved the way for similar themes, the following year, by Renoir and Manet. This is not necessarily what buyers are seeking, and the estimate, £ 3M, is ambitious.
1879 Vereshchagin, the Vedutista of Asia
2011 SOLD 3.1 M$ including premium
Vasili Vasilievich Vereshchagin was the most famous Russian painter of his time. His work was exhibited in London, St. Petersburg, and throughout Europe. He was best known for his military scenes, but certain themes tending to peace have certainly reduced his official career.
He was also a tireless traveler, and this aspect of his art is being rediscovered. He died of his dual passion for war and travel during the siege of Port Arthur.
His travel paintings belong to the Orientalist trend, and he had been a pupil of Gérôme. However, his themes are more touristic than anecdotal. The care to detail, light, color makes Vereshchagin a vedutista of Asia.
His journey in India lasted two years, from 1874 to 1876. On June 6, 2011, Sotheby's sold £ 2.3 million including premium an oil on canvas, 47 x 61 cm, showing the Taj Mahal at sunset. It had been estimated £ 250K.
Inspired by the same trip but completed in 1879, a view showing the front side of the Pearl Mosque in Delhi, sunny and animated by a few worshippers, is a masterpiece of the artist. This canvas 3.90 x 4.80 m, estimated $ 3M, is for sale by Sotheby's in New York on November 1. It is shown in the release shared by AuctionPublicity.
Note also from auction archives an oil on canvas from a later journey: a view of the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, 200 x 152 cm, painted circa 1885, which was sold $ 3.6 million including premium at Christie's on April 18, 2007.
POST SALE COMMENT
Despite its monumental size, the mosque of Delhi remained below its estimate. Including fees, this painting was sold $ 3.1 million including premium.
In the same sale, two lots confirm that modern Russian art is among the most unpredictable sectors of the market.
Entitled Street in Moscow, an early painting by Goncharova, in naive style, was sold $ 6.35 million including premium on an estimate of $ 1.2 M.
A monumental early painting by Fechin on the theme of a wedding scene in a Russian province was sold $ 3.3 million including premium, in line with its estimate. It confirms that the exceptional result, £ 7M including premium recorded by MacDougall's on December 2, 2010 for another work by Fechin especially rewarded the theme: the portrait of a young boy as a cowboy.
He was also a tireless traveler, and this aspect of his art is being rediscovered. He died of his dual passion for war and travel during the siege of Port Arthur.
His travel paintings belong to the Orientalist trend, and he had been a pupil of Gérôme. However, his themes are more touristic than anecdotal. The care to detail, light, color makes Vereshchagin a vedutista of Asia.
His journey in India lasted two years, from 1874 to 1876. On June 6, 2011, Sotheby's sold £ 2.3 million including premium an oil on canvas, 47 x 61 cm, showing the Taj Mahal at sunset. It had been estimated £ 250K.
Inspired by the same trip but completed in 1879, a view showing the front side of the Pearl Mosque in Delhi, sunny and animated by a few worshippers, is a masterpiece of the artist. This canvas 3.90 x 4.80 m, estimated $ 3M, is for sale by Sotheby's in New York on November 1. It is shown in the release shared by AuctionPublicity.
Note also from auction archives an oil on canvas from a later journey: a view of the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, 200 x 152 cm, painted circa 1885, which was sold $ 3.6 million including premium at Christie's on April 18, 2007.
POST SALE COMMENT
Despite its monumental size, the mosque of Delhi remained below its estimate. Including fees, this painting was sold $ 3.1 million including premium.
In the same sale, two lots confirm that modern Russian art is among the most unpredictable sectors of the market.
Entitled Street in Moscow, an early painting by Goncharova, in naive style, was sold $ 6.35 million including premium on an estimate of $ 1.2 M.
A monumental early painting by Fechin on the theme of a wedding scene in a Russian province was sold $ 3.3 million including premium, in line with its estimate. It confirms that the exceptional result, £ 7M including premium recorded by MacDougall's on December 2, 2010 for another work by Fechin especially rewarded the theme: the portrait of a young boy as a cowboy.
1896 The Twilight of Shishkin
2013 SOLD 2.15 M£ including premium
Ivan Shishkin is the painter of the Russian forest. With almost photographic details, he shows the harmonious beauty of the woods illuminated by the sun. He was recognized as one of the best Russian artists and led a landscape painting class in St. Petersburg.
He retired from teaching in 1896 and decided to devote more time to outdoor painting. He shares this activity between two residential sites, Vyra where he owns a dacha and Siverskaya which he had visited all along his career.
Gradually, his interest is shifting from realism to impression. The forest is now seen as a whole and not just as a juxtaposition of majestic trees.
An example comes from Vyra. A clearing in an oak forest, oil on canvas 119 x 171 cm, was sold for $ 3.2 million including premium by Christie's on 18 April 2008.
Also painted in 1896, a twilight in the pine forest of Siverskaya is for sale on June 5 by MacDougall's in London. This oil on canvas, 162 x 121 cm, is estimated £ 1.2 M.
Shishkin expresses the purity of the evening light after a storm. He is not a poet like Aivazovsky. His art and colors are totally realistic, but he now attaches the utmost attention to extreme lights of the day.
Unfortunately this highly productive period was too short. Shishkin died at work two years later.
POST SALE COMMENT
The connoisseurs have also considered that this painting by Shishkin is exceptional. It was sold for £ 2.15 million including premium.
He retired from teaching in 1896 and decided to devote more time to outdoor painting. He shares this activity between two residential sites, Vyra where he owns a dacha and Siverskaya which he had visited all along his career.
Gradually, his interest is shifting from realism to impression. The forest is now seen as a whole and not just as a juxtaposition of majestic trees.
An example comes from Vyra. A clearing in an oak forest, oil on canvas 119 x 171 cm, was sold for $ 3.2 million including premium by Christie's on 18 April 2008.
Also painted in 1896, a twilight in the pine forest of Siverskaya is for sale on June 5 by MacDougall's in London. This oil on canvas, 162 x 121 cm, is estimated £ 1.2 M.
Shishkin expresses the purity of the evening light after a storm. He is not a poet like Aivazovsky. His art and colors are totally realistic, but he now attaches the utmost attention to extreme lights of the day.
Unfortunately this highly productive period was too short. Shishkin died at work two years later.
POST SALE COMMENT
The connoisseurs have also considered that this painting by Shishkin is exceptional. It was sold for £ 2.15 million including premium.
1899-1903 Luxury Furniture with Fabergé
2007 SOLD for $ 2.3M including premium by Sotheby's
2019 WITHDRAWN
PRE 2019 SALE DISCUSSION
Fabergé knew how to respond to the desire for extreme refinement at the Russian court. His first Easter surprise egg was made in 1885 for a presentation by Emperor Alexander III to his wife Maria Feodorovna. The Empress is so enthusiastic that she asks for such a gift to become a tradition.
Fabergé is organizing for this prestigious market. In the following year he appoints Michael Perchin as head workmaster. Until his death in 1903, Perchin made all imperial eggs. He also worked for other wealthy clients including Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna, the sister-in-law of the Empress.
A master of enamels, Fabergé had developed 145 new hues. His miniature furniture is in enameled gold skillfully inlaid with precious materials for an exquisite imitation of the textures and decorations of the original furniture.
The three examples below were made by Perchin for Fabergé in St Petersburg between 1899 and 1903. They are inspired by French styles. Each of them is a highly rare model without being a unique piece.
A 9 cm high Louis XVI-style sedan chair was sold for £ 790K including premium by Christie's on November 27, 2017. The doors are opening. The windows are in rock crystal and the interior decoration is lined with mother of pearl.
The other two examples will be sold by Sotheby's in London on June 4. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
The Empire-style fauteuil en gondole 5.7 cm high is equipped with a hidden drawer under the seat for use as a bonbonnière. The back is an openwork in the shape of a row of lyres. A translucent red guilloché enamel imitates the grain of the mahogany, and the enamel of the seat mimics the silk. This piece which had belonged to the Grand Duchess was sold for $ 2.3M including premium by Sotheby's on April 16, 2007 over a lower estimate of $ 1M. It is now estimated at £ 800K, lot 256.
The 8.9 cm high Louis XVI-style spacer table offers a similar imitation of mahogany. Its top in polished nephrite imitating leather opens for use as a candy box. It is estimated £ 800K, lot 257.
BOTH WITHDRAWN
Fabergé knew how to respond to the desire for extreme refinement at the Russian court. His first Easter surprise egg was made in 1885 for a presentation by Emperor Alexander III to his wife Maria Feodorovna. The Empress is so enthusiastic that she asks for such a gift to become a tradition.
Fabergé is organizing for this prestigious market. In the following year he appoints Michael Perchin as head workmaster. Until his death in 1903, Perchin made all imperial eggs. He also worked for other wealthy clients including Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna, the sister-in-law of the Empress.
A master of enamels, Fabergé had developed 145 new hues. His miniature furniture is in enameled gold skillfully inlaid with precious materials for an exquisite imitation of the textures and decorations of the original furniture.
The three examples below were made by Perchin for Fabergé in St Petersburg between 1899 and 1903. They are inspired by French styles. Each of them is a highly rare model without being a unique piece.
A 9 cm high Louis XVI-style sedan chair was sold for £ 790K including premium by Christie's on November 27, 2017. The doors are opening. The windows are in rock crystal and the interior decoration is lined with mother of pearl.
The other two examples will be sold by Sotheby's in London on June 4. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
The Empire-style fauteuil en gondole 5.7 cm high is equipped with a hidden drawer under the seat for use as a bonbonnière. The back is an openwork in the shape of a row of lyres. A translucent red guilloché enamel imitates the grain of the mahogany, and the enamel of the seat mimics the silk. This piece which had belonged to the Grand Duchess was sold for $ 2.3M including premium by Sotheby's on April 16, 2007 over a lower estimate of $ 1M. It is now estimated at £ 800K, lot 256.
The 8.9 cm high Louis XVI-style spacer table offers a similar imitation of mahogany. Its top in polished nephrite imitating leather opens for use as a candy box. It is estimated £ 800K, lot 257.
BOTH WITHDRAWN
