Beschreibung:

DescriptionAn impressive and large gem-set silver-mounted and enamel bird's-eye maple casket, Khlebnikov, Moscow, 1908-1917
in the neo-Russian style, the rectangular bird's-eye maple body with repoussé and finely chased silver mounts, set with thirteen circular roundels each containing a chased and engraved stylised animal, the front of the hinged cover chased and engraved with two large peacocks and scrolls, the lower mount with stylised depiction of the sun and scrolls at intervals, with two compartments, both with key holes and set throughout with large cabochon gems including amber, rhodonite, lapis lazuli, garnets and jasper, on four bun feet, the interior fabric-lined, struck throughout with maker's mark and initials in Cyrillic and the Imperial Warrant, 84 standardlength 42cm; 16½in.Condition reportExcellent condition overall. A small crack and chip to three of the gems, a chip to the ochre enamel on one roundel at the front of the casket.
Please note that Condition 12 of the Conditions of Business for Buyers (Online Only) is not applicable to this lot.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colors and shades which are different to the lot's actual color and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation. The condition report is a statement of opinion only. For that reason, the condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS ONLINE CONDITION REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE/BUSINESS APPLICABLE TO THE RESPECTIVE SALE.Catalogue noteIn the late 19th century, cities throughout Europe began blossoming into metropolises prompted by the boom in industrialisation. In reaction to this rapid modernisation that was taking over not only Russia’s metropolises but also those around Europe, artists began reviving medieval art and literature. In Britain, the Pre-Raphaelites replicated the folklore around King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, as well as fairy tales such as Briar Rose. French artists, architects and craftsmen reverted to the glory of Louis XV’s, and Norway represented tales of their Viking ancestors. Moscow too became a flourishing centre of industrialisation, and the artist colony of Abramtsevo and the Talashkino school countered this by reviving Pan-Slavic art based on fairy tale and myth.
The Russian aristocracy were enchanted by these Romantic creations – especially those representing bogatyrs – and so they ‘“resurrected”, studied and tried to recreate their environments, costumes and jewellery’ (U. Tillander-Godenhielm, Smycken: Från det Kejserliga St Petersburg, 1996, p. 164). Similarly, there grew an appetite for silver and enamels in this revival style, for which the renowned firms of Khlebnikov, Ovchinnikov and Fabergé catered.
Recognition of these firms’ work spread throughout Europe. As Anne Odom writes, ‘The pride of Russian silversmiths – Ovchinnikov, Khlebnikov, Grachev, and others – won prizes at All-Russian and international exhibitions, with their Old-Russian style. In addition to numerous medals at All-Russian exhibitions, Ovchinnikov and Khlebnikov each won Gold Medals in Paris in 1889’ (exhibition catalogue, Walters Art Gallery & Hillwood Museum, ed. A. Odom, Russian Enamels, 1996, p. 107).
Adorned with finely chased and repoussé imperial double-headed eagles, mythological creatures and large cabochon gems and hardstones, the present casket is exemplary of Khlebnikov’s impressive creations during this period.