4 June 2014 Russian Art Auctions

4 June 2014

Artist Index / Full Catalogue


EARLY 20TH CENTURY

* 591. A METAL-MOUNTED WOODEN IMPERIAL PRESENTATION BREAD PLATE AND SALT CUP

EARLY 20TH CENTURY

Diameter of the plate 52 cm, height of the cup 6.5 cm.
4,000–6,000 GBP


Provenance: A gift to the grandfather of the present owner in 1930s.
Thence by descent.

Circular, carved with Neo-Byzantine motifs, the centre applied with a monogram of Nicholas II and the Imperial Crown, with the mounts on the borders reading “Tverskoi Verkh Volzhsk. Vagonnyi Zav.” in Cyrillic and dated “21.IV.1915”, with yellow handwritten Cyrillic letters and number “A.D-M 784” on the reverse; cup carved with a crucifix and the inscription “Bozhe Tsarya Khrani” in Cyrillic, with handwritten red number “360” and yellow Cyrillic letters and number “A.D.M. 25608” under base.

This elaborately carved plate and salt were commissioned by the Tver wagon-building factory to be presented to Nicholas II on the occasion of his visit to Tver on the 21st April, 1915. According to traditional Russian hospitality, a bread and salt plate was used to greet guests, whilst the spectacular quality of the carving, as well as the dedicatory inscription confirm the Imperial connection. Although Nicholas II does not mention the Tver wagon-building factory in his diary, he does describe his visit to an assembly of the nobility and it is reasonable to assume that the plate was presented to him there.


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.