Lot 556
  • 556

Moscow horse-drawn railway: A gold and enamel commemorative jeton, possibly Fabergé, Moscow, circa 1890

Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
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Description

  • GOLD, ENAMEL
  • height including loop: 54mm
in gold and enamels, the front centered with the civic arms of Moscow within a yellow opaque enamel border inscribed in Russian Horse-Railway in Moscow / Main network, surmounted with stylized horses' heads, with reverse dated 1874-1875 and named M.K. Reitern, workmaster's initials OP probably for Oscar Phil, 56 standard

Condition

In excellent 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."

Catalogue Note

The Moscow horse-drawn railway or konka was built in 1872 for the opening of the Moscow Polytechnic Exhibition, commemorating the bicentenary of the birth of Peter the Great. Konka was an open-top or close carriage which was drawn along the rails by two horses steered by coachman.  In the 1880s konka became the main mode of city transport and in 1894-1896 carried up to 25 million passengers a year. By 1900 the railway network extended over 90km and its fleet consisted of over 240 carriages. Interestingly, up until 1901 the monopoly on maintenance of the konka belonged to various private Belgian and French companies but eventually their shares were bought out by the City Duma.
The tenure of Mikhail Khristoforovich Reitern (1820-1890) as Minister of Finance under Alexander II saw enormous growth in railway construction all over Russia. A railway pencil jeton bearing his name is also known.