seven portrait miniatures of the children of tsar alexander II and maria alexandrovna on sculptural stands, 19th century

each miniature painted on ivory between glass panels and enclosed by gold frames, the edge of the gold frame enameled royal blue, the ormolu stands applied with four free-standing Renaissance figures suported by rectangular bases veneered with lapis-lazuli, the underside of each base applied with red leather and gilt-stamped with the names and titles of each chiild, three of the gold mounts marked with initials of goldsmith A.H., probably for August Holmstöm (who was appointed head workmaster for the firm of Fabergé in 1857); one of the gold mounts, St. Petersburg, 1858, with goldsmith's mark I.L. or T.L., the miniatures apparently unsigned.

Collection of India Early Minshall (1885-1965)
Sold, Christie's, New York, April 12, 1988, lot 86

Under each stand the names and titles of the children are given as follows: (1)Grand Duke and Tsesarevich Nicholas (1843-65), (2)Grand Duke and Tsesarevich Alexander, later Alexander III (1845-94), (3)Grand Duke Vladimir (1847-1909), (4)Grand Duke Alexis (1850-1909), (5)Grand Duchess Maria (1853-1920), (6)Grand Duke Serge (1857-1905) and (7)Grand Duke Paul (1860-1918). Each child is depicted at a similar age and it can therefore be assumed that these miniatures were painted over a period of time, according to the various dates of birth of the children. Missing from this set of seven miniatures is that of the first-born child, Grand Duchess Alexandra (1842-29), who died at a very young age.