An Unusual Russian Gilded Silver and Enamel Jeweled Tazza, Antip Kuzmichev, Moscow; Retailed by Tiffany & Co., circa 1900

the center of the tazza enameled with stylized swirling foliage and flowers centering on a turquoise and yellow flowerhead; the interior of the gadrooned body with blue and green palmettes against a cream ground, the rim set with carnelians, lapis, nephrite, and agate en cabochon alternating with foil-backed, faceted pink sapphires, the exterior with brightly colored, stylized flowerheads in green, yellow and red against a green ground, the spreading foot with conforming decoration

James J. Hill (1838-1916)
Charlotte Elizabeth Hill (Mrs. George T. Slade, 1877-1923)
Thence by descent

some small enamel loss; the top of the tazza slightly loose; one stone reglued.
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.

In the second half of the nineteenth century, many artists and architects sought inspiration in the five-volume Drevnosti rossiiskago gosudarstva (Antiquities of the Russian State, Moscow, 1849-1853), a lavishly illustrated compendium of treasures held by the Russian state; the volumes were commissioned by Emperor Nicholas I (ruled 1825-1855). Moscow silversmith and enameler Antip Kuzmichev based this rare and unusual tazza on a richly jeweled gold tazza that was part of an ablution set belonging to Tsaritsa Natalia Kirillovna Naryshkina (1651-1694), second wife of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich (1629-1676) and mother of the future Emperor Peter I (1672-1725), that was housed in the Kremlin Armory Museum. The interior of the original tazza had served as the basis for Fedor Solntsev's design for the dinner plates for the Imperial Porcelain Factory's Kremlin Service; here Kuzmichev has freely adapted the ornament while retaining the original form to create a vibrantly modern piece. The presence of the initials C.E.H. on the underside indicate that the piece once belonged to railroad magnate James J. Hill's daughter, Charlotte Elizabeth.