拍品 254
  • 254

A RUSSIAN IMPERIAL PRESENTATION SILVER-GILT AND SHADED CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL PLACE SETTING, RETAILED BY GRACHEV, ST. PETERSBURG, DATED 1895 |

估價
10,000 - 15,000 USD
招標截止

描述

  • marked with Cyrillic initials, possibly Saltikov, Moscow
  • length of case 11 1/2 in.; 29.2 cm
comprising a Knife, Fork, Spoon, Napkin Ring, open Salt, and Salt Spoon, all monogrammed NA, in fitted wood case stamped Grachev in Cyrillic, the cover with NA monogram and presentation plaque

來源

The cover plaque reads, "Presented to Nicholas Charles Bernard Hesse Allen / by his Godmother / Her Imperial Majesty the Czarina of Russia / 21st May 1895".In May 1894 Princess Alix of Hesse and by Rhine, engaged to the Tsarevich Nicholas, visited Harrogate spa in England. She stayed at Cathcart House hotel on West Park, in the town. The owner's wife, Mrs. Allen, had just given birth to twins, a boy and a girl.  The future Tsarina saw this as a good omen and asked to stand as godparent to the babies. This was accepted, and Nicholas and Alix, plus Hesse, were added to the names already chosen by the Allens, and the Princess attended their christenings.

This presentation set was presumably sent as a first birthday gift to Nicholas Allen; an almost identical enameled set by Grachev was sent to his sister and was acquired with family scrapbooks by Harrogate Museum in March, 2017. The Tsarina stayed in touch with the family, sending Nicholas cufflinks in 1910 for his confirmation and an engraved gold cross in 1915 for his coming-of-age (also Harrogate Museum inv. 6589).

Condition

some staining to blade of knife, also to lining of case, otherwise good
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.