Property of an Important Private Collection, Italy
A parcel-gilt silver and enamel vesta case, maker's mark W.B, retailed by Michał Mankielewicz, Minsk, 1894
Lot Closed
May 15, 11:20 AM GMT
Estimate
2,000 - 3,000 CHF
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Read more.Lot Details
Description
rectangular, the plain silver lid decorated with a silver ruble depicting the bust of Nicholas II and a silver kopecks decorated with the Imperial double-headed eagle, the reverse decorated with a guilloché enamel Russian stamp, champlevé enamel newspaper and freemasonry square and compass symbol, with attached chain and tinder cord, the silver-gilt interior with presentation inscription dated November 1894, struck to interior with retailer's mark, maker's mark, 84 standard, further Minsk 'star' town mark
length 10.5 cm; 4 1/8 in.
Acquired from Prince Nicholas Romanov (1922-2014) by Alessandro Del Bene;
Thence by descent
The maker's mark W.B is recorded as an unknown master (Postnikova-Loseva no. 1916).
Michał Mankielewicz (1855-1911) was a prominent Polish jeweller. Renowned for exceptional craftsmanship, his creations attracted an elite clientele from across Poland and Europe, including wealthy Russian patrons. Beyond his commercial success, Mankielewicz was an influential cultural figure, generously supporting artists, musicians, and actors, and playing a notable role in Warsaw’s artistic and theatrical circles. His workshop continued to operate after his death under his wife Julia Mankielewicz.
Mankielewicz was remembered as a jeweller to both the Polish and Russian elite in Jerzy Leszczyński's Theatre Memories:
'In adoration for actors, the jeweler Michał Mankielewicz held the lead. His shop and jewellry were known on jewelry exchanges all over Europe. The refinement and taste of Mankielewicz's jewellry studio, magnificent specimens of diamonds, emeralds and sapphires won over his richest clientele not only in Warsaw. The Russian rich came to get various valuables from "Mankiel" – as he was called for short – and then deposited them at the feet of the great Pavlova, Karsavina or Preobrazhenskaya, offering them less often to their married spouses.’