a silver presentation figure of justice, ovchinnikov, st. petersburg, 1909

blindfolded figure of the goddess Themis holding the scales of justice in one hand and a sword in the other, with one foot treading lightly upon the head of a serpent, the figure set on a red marble plinth applied with dedicatory gilded plaque below the double-headed eagle of the Russian Imperial State Seal, the Roman numerals XXV within laurel wreathes, and a dedicatory silver plaque inscribed "To Deeply Respected Sergei Andreevich Muromstev in Honor of the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of His Service, 1884-1909, in the St. Petersburg Judicial Chambers," set on a stepped, square base, the lowest level being applied with four finely chased plaques with city views. 

small loss to one of the lines holding a scale; otherwise in overall good condition
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Sergei Andreevich Muromtsev (1850-1910) was one of the leading Russian jurists of the late Imperial period.  An expert on Roman jurisprudence, he taught for many years at Moscow University before being dismissed for his support of student demonstrations and undesirable political beliefs.  He turned to writing about both the history of law and the contemporary state of Russian society; many of these writings were officially banned and had to be published abroad.  Muromtsev increasingly involved himself in contemporary Russian politics and was one of the founding members of the Constitutional Democratic, or Cadet, Party.  When the First State Duma was convened in 1906, Muromtsev was elected a deputy representing Moscow; he was elected Chairman on the first day that the body met.  When Nicholas II dissolved the Duma by imperial decree, Muromtsev was among those who traveled to Finland (then an autonomous Grand Duchy and thus beyond the reach of the Russian police) and signed the Vyborg Manifesto in response.  Muromtsev, along with other signatories, was harshly punished.  Most were jailed at least briefly and then banned from serving in public office in the future.  When Muromtsev died in October 1910, his funeral at Donskoi Cemetery in Moscow became a political protest march in which thousands took part.  As a newspaper of the period recalled, Russian constitutional history began with Muromstev's name.