CHRISTIE'S RUSSIAN ART PRESENTS IMPORTANT PAINTING AND WORKS OF ART FROM THE 18TH TO THE 20TH CENTUR Following the success of the November 2007 London sales which totaled £42.9 million, Christie’s is pleased to announce its Russian Art sale on April 18 in New York.
a
successful artist who excelled in history painting, genre scenes and portraiture. The
unknown sitter is portrayed with a lowered gaze and her dark hair frames her
shoulders. The bright fabrics of her blouse and the floral backdrop of this elegant
yet simple portrait demonstrate Makoskii’s mastery of color and brushwork.
An unusually large jeweled nephrite model of an elephant by Fabergé, circa
1890, in the original red velvet presentation case (estimate: $300,000-
500,000) leads the works of art section. Carved from a single block of
nephrite, the elephant is an example of Fabergé’s technically accomplished
stone carving on a large scale. Such large hardstone models of animals are
very rare compared with the miniature models more common in the
production of the firm.
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Also featured is a rare and large important Soviet propaganda vase by the State Porcelain Factory,
executed by Ivan Riznich in 1927, a turning point in the history of the factory.
The design of the vase depicts the role of the Red Army in the Russian
countryside, protecting grain convoys during the Civil War. One side depicts a
horse and a ploughman furrowing a field with peasants and horse-drawn
wagons in the background, the other side depicts a line of Red Army soldiers
and an officer on a rampant horse beneath a Soviet flag. The vase is inscribed in
Russian on the foot “The Red Army, defender of the Soviet working class” and
dated beneath the rim on one side 1917-1927 and inscribed in Russian on the
other “10th Anniversary of Soviet Rule” (estimate: $250,000-350,000).
Property from the Estate of Leona Helmsley includes a pair of silver five-light candelabra by
Nicholls & Plincke (estimate: $80,000-100,000). Other highlights in the works
of art section of the sale include a silver-gilt and cloisonné enamel punch set
by the firm of Ovchinnikov, on the market for the first time since it was
purchased at auction in Shanghai in 1930 by a prominent White Russian
émigré family (estimate: $200,000-300,000); a large silver and guilloché enamel
photograph frame by Fabergé (estimate: $150,000-250,000); and a silver and
cloisonné enamel kovsh by Feodor Rückert for Fabergé (estimate: $70,000-
100,000), one of many exceptional works by Rückert in the sale.
Auction: Russian Art 18 April at 10am
Viewing: Christie’s Rockefeller Galleries 12 - 17 April
About Christie’s
Christie’s is the world's leading art business with global auction sales in 2007 that totaled £3.1 billion/$6.3 billion. This
marks the highest total in company and in art auction history. Christie’s is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary
art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie's
conducted the greatest auctions of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, and today remains a popular showcase for the
unique and the beautiful. Christie’s offers over 600 sales annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and
decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $80
