Catalogue: Important Russian Art Auction
15 October 2020
13. JEBENS, ADOLF (1819–1888)
Emperor's Personal Guard of Muslim Warriors, double-sided work, signed and dated 1860, further inscribed "Musulmane Sobstvennogo Ego Imperatorskogo Velichestva konvoya//Za veru I vernost'//Za khrabrost'!" and dated on the reverse.
Oil on gold leaf, laid on wood, 61 by 47 cm (including frame).
5,000–7,000 GBP
Provenance: Private collection, USA.
Emperor's Personal Guard of Muslim Warriors presented for auction is a rare and exquisite painting of the Muslim Convoy founded during the reign of Emperor Alexander I. The guard predominantly consisted of Cossacks, among which were also Ossetians, Circassians and Tatars. The Muslim Warriors held a special place in the Emperor’s regiment for saving his life in the Battle of Leipzig against Napoleon.
The value of the Muslim warriors is reiterated by the author of the painting presenting them. Adolf Jebens was close to the Imperial society and personally received commissions from His Imperial Majesty and the Royal Family. His works can be found in major Russian art museums such as the State Hermitage Museum and the Suvorov State Memorial Museum.
Crowned with a two-headed eagle and military attributes underneath, the wooden, carved and stucco frame is unified with the painting as a solid piece of art. The frame bears the date of 1860 – the year of numerous Imperial military companies in the Caucasus. In the same year, the son of Imam Shamil himself was included in the Convoy, for which Shamil warmly thanked the Emperor.
Adolf Jebens, The Group of Officers and Soldiers of Pavlovsk’s Regiment, 1844-1855, Suvorov State Memorial Museum, St. Petersburg.
Adolf Jebens, Guards Furstat, 1861, second half of the 20th century, The State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg.
Notes on symbols:
* Indicates 5% Import Duty Charge applies.
Ω Indicates 20% Import Duty Charge applies.
§ Indicates Artist's Resale Right applies.
† Indicates Standard VAT scheme applies, and the rate of 20% VAT will be charged on both hammer price and premium.