PHILADELPHIA, PA.- Noting the 100th anniversary of the Russian Revolution, the sale opens with an exceptional group of Pre-revolutionary Russian masterworks, including an Imperial presentation ring by Michael Perkhin for Faberge (Lot 21 Est. $80,000-120,000), an exceptional cloisonne enamel box by Feodor Ruckert (Lot 8 Est. $30,000-50,000), and a rare silver presentation cup in the form of a cockerel by Alexander Sokolov (Lot 9 Est. 30,000-50,000).
Wrapping up the Russian section are two important historical collections documenting the last days of the Russian Imperial Family at Ekaterinburg. Never before seen in the United States, The Lintern Archive (Lot 26, 30,000-50,000) comprises a rare Romanov family photographic album which likely belonged to Pierre Gilliard, tutor to the Imperial children. The album contains 66 photographs, many never before seen, and is sold with an historical letter documenting early efforts to recover the remains of the Romanovs in the forests of Ekaterinburg. The collection was discovered on the UK Antiques Roadshow earlier this year. The second collection, The Storojev Legacy, (Lot 27Est. 30,000-50,000) comprises the theological library of Father Ivan Storojev, who was the officiant at the last religious services attended by the Imperial family. Included in the collection are the pectoral and blessing crosses used at the final service, and his heavily annotated missal which records his involvement. The Romanov family are now saints in the Orthodox Church.
The Silver section is notable for its breadth, featuring The Lonsdale Salver (Lot 46 Est. 12,000-18,000) attributed to Heming, as well as British works in silver by Hester Bateman, Paul Storr, Matthew Boulton, Ayme Videau, and Garrard. Exceptional American silver includes works by Tiffany & Co., particularly a group of works in the St. Dunstan pattern (Lot79, Est. 12,000-15,000 and Lot 80, Est. 10,000-15,000), Gorham, Whiting Mfg. Co., Dominick & Haff, and other makers from the early Georgian periods to the 20th century. European silver is well-represented by works from the 18ththrough the 20th centuries with exceptional pieces by Odiot, Bucellatti, Christofle, and a wonderful collection of early Georg Jensen (lots 101-125).
This curated sale of 120 lots has something for everyone, from seasoned collectors to newcomers interested in taking advantage of the exceptional diversity and reasonable estimates.