An unusual pair of gilt-bronze, bronze and marble groups of Triton and Nereid, in the manner of Rastrelli 19th century

each depicted seated on marble turtles with gilt crowns and holding candelabra in the form of cornucopia, Nereid holds a lyre in her right hand, Triton marked with a 'C' on the underside, the turtle under Nereid bearing a label marked Neva in Cyrillic

These bronzes are highly attractive and in overall good condition. The gilding is more golden and the bronze is of very attractive dark brown colour. The sculptural group depicting Triton has a trident lacking from his left hand and he is slightly loose but can easily be secured. There are a few minor and old chips to the rear fin of the turtle and elsewhere, possibly due to the original carving. The marble is slightly discoloured and dirty consistent with age and can be cleaned.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The pairing of these bronze sculptures, personifying the Rivers Neva and Volkhov, refer to one of the greatest engineering feats that took place during the reign of Tsar Peter I (1682-1725), the construction of the Ladoga Canal in 1718. The canal, uniting the Volkhov and Neva rivers, linked the waterways between Moscow and Russia's new capital, St Petersburg. At the time Russia was a prospering and peaceful nation and would benefit greatly from this trade route being opened up. Although the Treaty of Nystad had yet to be signed, the Northern Wars against Sweden had effectively ended at the Battle of Poltava in June 1709. This victory was viewed as one of the most significant achievements of Peter I's reign as much of Russia's Baltic territory was recovered from Sweden. After Poltava in 1709 Peter decided to build a summer residence with gardens, parks, grottos and fountains at Peterhof.  The centrepiece for the Palace was the Grand Cascade conceived to commemorate Russia's recent foreign and domestic achievements which would include the building of the Ladoga Canal. Similar representations of Neva and Volkhov currently decorate the Grand Cascade at the Palace of Peterhof.

Peter I sought inspiration for Peterhof at the Palace of Versailles in France. Profoundly impressed by its grandeur when he visited in 1717 he decided that his new palace be built in its fashion. Rastrelli was the first major western European sculptor to work in Russia.  He worked extensively at Peterhof and was selected by the Tsar to compose sculptural decorations for the fountains. To commemorate the triumph of Russia over the Swedes, Rastrelli created the central composition of Samson tearing open the mouth of a lion after a drawing by Nicolas Pineau. This was cast in lead in 1720's and erected in 1735 on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Victory at Poltava. The grottos either side of Samson are decorated with sculptures of Triton and Nereid, representing the Rivers Volkhov and Neva, acclaiming Samson's triumph.

It is believed that Rastrelli arrived in Russia with a complete portfolio of designs by the French painter, engraver and draughtsman Charles Le Brun, (1619-1690). Although Le Brun's 'Projet de Fontaine' was never realised at Versailles, they clearly inspired Rastrelli's groups at Peterhof.  The compositions illustrated are strikingly similar to the offered models of Triton and Nereid, illustrated (figs. 1 and 2) and to the model of Neptune. 

Neptune previously in the Stroganoff collection and currently held in the State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg is the only known reduction bronze made for the Grand Cascade.