paire de rafraîchissoirs en argent par Jean-Charles Cahier, Paris, 1819-38

chacun reposant sur quatre pieds en pégase, les anses en cornes d'abondance, appliqué deux fois du chiffre du grand-duc Mikhail Pavlovitch de Russie

each applied twice with the monogram of Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovitch of Russia

stamped C. Cahier, also maker's mark, good clear marks, a few minor scratches and a little overall wear but basically in 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. 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."

Le service français nommé d'après le Grand Duc Mikhail Pavlovitch, fils du Tsar Paul I, fut réalisé pour le Palais Michail à St Petersbourg, construit entre 1819 et 1823. Martin-Guillaume Biennais et Jean-Charles Cahier furent les orfèvres parisiens essentiellement investis dans ce projet, Cahier ayant repris la suite de Biennais, ses archives et dessins, en 1821. A la mort du Grand Duc Mikhail en 1849, ce très important service échut en héritage à son unique fille la grande-duchesse Ekaterina Mikhailovna, puis à sa petite-fille Elena Georgievna (1857-1936). Le service fut ensuite dispersé lors de la Révolution et des confiscations et vendu afin de renflouer les caisses de l'état soviétique vers 1933, au profit d'un certain nombre de musées et de collections privées. En conséquence, le musée de l'Hermitage n'en possède aujourd'hui que quelques pièces. Une paire des même modèle et service fut vendue chez Sotheby's Zürich, le 18 novembre 1977, lot 162, tandis qu'un rafraîchissoir de Martin-Guillaume Biennais au chiffre du grand-duc Nicolai, frère du grand-duc Mikhail puis tsar Nicholas I, fut vendu chez Sotheby's Genève, le 14 novembre 1988, lot 101.

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The Paris service known after Grand Duke Michail Pavlovitch, son of Tsar Paul I was made for the Michail Palace in St Petersburg, built between 1819 and 1823. The principal Parisian goldsmiths involved were Martin Guillaume Biennais and Jean-Charles Cahier, who worked in collaboration, the latter taking over Biennais's workshop with its archive and designs, on Biennais's retirement in 1821. Following the death of Grand Duke Michail in 1849, the enormous service was inherited by his only daughter Grand Duchess Ekaterina Mikhailovna and then by his grand-daughter Elena Georgievna (1857-1936). Following the revolution and confiscation, the service was largely dispersed outside Russia being sold off to raise currency up to around 1933, entering a number of museums and private collections. In Russia, in The Hermitage only a few items remain. Another pair of coolers to this design from the same service, were sold Sothebys Zurich, 18 November 1977, lot 162. A single conforming wine cooler by Martin-Guillaume Biennais with the cypher of Duke Nicolai, Duke Michail's brother later Tsar Nicolai I was sold Sothebys, Geneva, 14 Nov 1988, lot 101