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Sale 41
Pre-Long Beach Coin and Currency Auction
| Pyxis- Dedicated to Katherine the Great |
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| Lot |
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Description |
Realized |
Lot 3932 |
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Important Silver and Niello Memorial Pyxis, dedicated to Katharine the Great, c. 19th century. The box is robustly constructed of soldered heavy sheet silver, with the lid comprised of two pieces which are joined by means of a heavy nut and screw thread. Each lid piece with maker's and control marks, also seen on the base of the box.
The surfaces are engraved and textured, and heavily enriched with niello artwork and inscriptions. The upper lid with Russian Imperial Eagle, with laurel wreath around, and quartered by medallic orders, all bordered by inscription. The lid's inner surface with frontal portrait of Katherine, with outer wreath and inscription.
Box exterior with central frieze of elaborate floral arabesques and motif of classical pediments flanked by centaurs abducting a nude woman; inscriptions above and below. Inside of box with city views of Moscow and St. Petersburg, separated by Katharine 's royal cipher, and two dates. The date, in three lines ("1729 / 21-IV / 1769"), is her birth date and the year of her death. April 21 is the date derived from the Julian Calendar then in use in Russia -- in terms of the Gregorian Calendar now employed, this date would be modified to May 2. Finally on the interior base, an intricately rendered St. George and the dragon. The background engraving enhancing the radiating lines of his nimbus.
Silversmith for this piece is "DN." In "Gold and Silver Manufacture in Russia, XV-XX century" by Postnikova-Loseva and others (2003), the silversmith "DN", no. 130, a contemporary of Katherine, remains unidentified. However, the beveled corners to the maker's stamp, and all the other stamps, are more typical of 19th century treatments of these stamps rather than 18th century. So the box is most likely an "homage" to Katherine, in a style that would be contemporary to her reign.
In terms of restrikes of Russian collector's medal, and coins (Novodels), the 19th century was the heyday. In addition to the usual princely collectors who would have been one source of demand for these objects, Russia also the large growth of a well-heeled industrial class in the mid- and later 19th century, who were also seeking artistic and cultural outlets in which to lavish their new wealth on. It is likely in this sort of milieu that the Katharine silver box was fashioned.
Estimated Value $10,000 - 15,000.
View details and enlarged photo
| Realized
$20,125 |
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