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A portrait of Grand Duke Michael Nikolaevich in a silver-mounted wood frame, 1846/1837
Estimate
4,000 - 6,000 GBP
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Description
- wood, watercolour, silver
- height of frame 28cm, 11in.
the frame of Karelian birch, the large oval aperture containing a watercolour portrait of the Grand Duke wearing the uniform of an officer of the Preobrazhensky Regiment of the Life Guards, inscribed and dated in Russian 'Mikhail 1846 27th March/ St Petersburg', below a laurel-festooned circular aperture containing a lock of hair, its bezel dated in Russian '27 Apr 1837', apparently unmarked
Provenance
Grand Duke Michael Nikolaevich (1832-1909)
Grand Duke Michael Mikhailovich (1861-1929)
Countess Nadezhda Mikhailovna de Torby, Marchioness of Milford Haven (1896-1963)
David Mountbatten, 3rd Marquess of Milford Haven (1919-1970)
Thence by descent
Condition
Very good condition. The screws have been out. The wood with light surface scratches throughout. The tip of a screw showing through the top left of the front. Four screw holes to the reverse, previously for picture hooks.
"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."
"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 youngest of Emperor Nicholas I's seven children and his fourth son, Grand Duke Michael Nikolaevich (1832-1909) embarked on a military career from an early age. His eldest brother, later Emperor Alexander II, would impose universal military service, and his other brothers Konstantin and Nicholas achieved the ranks of Admiral and Field Marshal respectively. Michael himself from the age of thirty served as Governor General and later Viceroy of the troublesome and war-prone province of the Caucasus.
Insight into the strict military education of the Grand Dukes is provided by Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich (1866-1933), Michael Nikolaevich's fourth son, in his memoirs Once a Grand Duke (1932). On his seventh birthday Alexander was presented command of the 73rd Krimsky Infantry Regiment and was removed from the nursery to partake in military style training with his brothers for the next eight years. This entailed a spartan existence, lest he become accustomed to luxury, with an hour's drill each morning before lessons. 'At the age of ten I would have been able to take part in the bombardment of a large city' (p. 15).
Insight into the strict military education of the Grand Dukes is provided by Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich (1866-1933), Michael Nikolaevich's fourth son, in his memoirs Once a Grand Duke (1932). On his seventh birthday Alexander was presented command of the 73rd Krimsky Infantry Regiment and was removed from the nursery to partake in military style training with his brothers for the next eight years. This entailed a spartan existence, lest he become accustomed to luxury, with an hour's drill each morning before lessons. 'At the age of ten I would have been able to take part in the bombardment of a large city' (p. 15).