A parcel-gilt silver and champlevé enamel salt chair, Andrei Bragin, St Petersburg, circa 1880

the surface with opaque and translucent enamel geometric motifs, inscribed in Russian: 'Eat bread and salt, speak the truth', 'With a piece of bread, it's heaven even under a pine tree' and 'Our great grandfathers ate simple food and lived well', the pierced back painted with a cockerel, 88 standard, Soviet control marks

Excellent condition generally, the cockerel's back with shallow enamel loss.
"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."

For similar salt chairs by Bragin, see Sotheby's New York, 5 March 1981, lot 135, and Sotheby's London, 21 June 1971, lot 201.