Jan 24, 2024 10:00 EST
Fabergé & Vertu / English & Continental Silver
52
Russian Brass Samovar
Estate / Collection: Property of a California Collector
Late 18th Century
Of urn form, the front embossed with a Russian Imperial double-headed eagle, the reverse with a Green Man and foliage, with a domed cover embossed with birds, the pierced crown similarly decorated, raised on four scroll legs and a quadripartite base. Height 19 1/2 inches (49.5 cm).
Sold for $23,040
Estimated at $800 - $1,200
Includes Buyer's Premium
Estate / Collection: Property of a California Collector
Late 18th Century
Of urn form, the front embossed with a Russian Imperial double-headed eagle, the reverse with a Green Man and foliage, with a domed cover embossed with birds, the pierced crown similarly decorated, raised on four scroll legs and a quadripartite base. Height 19 1/2 inches (49.5 cm).
The base is bent, with a small crack to one side, and the samovar does not sit evenly on a flat surface. The finial on the base is detached but still present. The spout is repaired with solder. Cracks and solder repairs to cover is several areas.
Any condition statement is given as a courtesy to a client, is an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact and our Organization shall have no responsibility for any error or omission. Please contact the specialist department to request further information or additional images that may be available.
Auction: Fabergé & Vertu / English & Continental Silver, Jan 24, 2024
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Successful Auction of Fabergé & Vertu on January 24, 2024
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Bronze Figure of Mephistopheles by Russian Sculptor Mark Antokolsky Achieves $70,400
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Comprising Lots 1 - 147 in the Sale
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We Invite You to Contact Us for a Complimentary Auction Evaluation of Your Fabergé & Vertu
NEW YORK, NY -- Doyle's auction of Fabergé & Vertu on January 24, 2024 saw international competition drive strong prices for a range of exceptional objects spanning the 17th to the 20th century. Bidders on both sides of the Atlantic vied for exquisite objects by Fabergé, vertu, silver and icons from prominent collections and estates.
Highlighting the sale was a masterful bronze figure of Mephistopheles by Mark Antokolsky that achieved $70,400, far surpassing its estimate of $30,000-50,000. The premier Russian sculptor of the late 19th century, Mark Antokolsky (1843-1902) conceived of Mephistopheles in 1874 while working on Christ Before the Judgment of the People, aiming to create a character as strong as Christ but in complete moral opposition to him, with the intention of exhibiting the two works together. In 1882, Antokolsky began to produce clay studies of the full-scale work and continued throughout 1883. The finished work, a thoroughly modern and deeply psychological portrait, was realized in marble and cast in bronze.
“My Mephistopheles,” Antokolsky wrote in a letter to E.G. Mamontov in May 1883, “is the product of all ages, especially our age. My Mephistopheles is mystery, plague, decay, which is carried in the air; it infects and kills people. Mephistopheles is evil, fathomless evil, evil without mercy. He is helpless in his spirit, but his jealousy, his self-love is strong. He is irritated by everything: joy, laughter, young kisses. He wants everything around him to be gloomy, dead, empty and lifeless as he is himself.”
A Walkabout with the Specialist
Mark Moehrke examines the bronze figure of Mephistopheles by Russian sculptor Mark Antokolsky. View the Video
We Invite You to Auction!
Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for a complimentary auction evaluation. Our Specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
For information, please contact:
Mark Moehrke: 212-427-4141, ext 272, Mark.Moehrke@Doyle.com
