Evgeni Alexandrovich Lanceray, 1848-1886

Minor surface dirt with some rubbed surfaces to the patina. Otherwise overall condition very good.
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This sculpture immortalises the astonishing achievements of the Russian army during the crossing of the Balkan mountains in particularly difficult conditions in December 1887. Having already crossed the Danube, this was the last natural obstacle left on the army's march towards Constantinople.

To the left there is a soldier helping his horse climb up a steep mountain and in the centre there is another cossack rider depicted having already reached the peak and about to start his descent. Both parts formed independent compositions titled: Horseman in the Balkans and Crossing the Balkans: Soldier on his Horse (1888) respectively.

Originally intended as a mantel clock the composition of the sculpture draws an arch to accommodate the clock. There also exists another variant of this composition where the mountain is executed in white marble to imitate snow (sold at Sotheby's London, 25 October 1996).