Today, 17 November, the Paris auction Christie's «500 years of European decorative arts" will be a chandelier, formerly hung in the bedroom of the Empress Maria Feodorovna in the Pavlovsk Palace

Today, November 17 at the Paris auction Christie's «500 years of European decorative arts" will be an outstanding lot with the imperial provenance. This chandelier with eighteen horns, which formerly graced the Pavlovsky Palace - the imperial summer residence outside St. Petersburg. In the early twentieth century, this work was included in the prestigious private French collection, from which arrived at this auction. Lot is estimated at 200-300 thousand euros. The appearance of such works at auction represents an opportunity for collectors and museum institutions from Russia to replenish their collections exhibit a remarkable history, thus facilitating their return home.

Chandelier attributed to Johann Zehu , one of the most famous St. Petersburg artists of his time. Work Zeha enjoyed great popularity in St. Petersburg in 1790. After his chandelier was purchased for the rooms of Grand Duke Alexander Pavlovich in the Winter Palace, the Cabinet of His Imperial Majesty has ordered Zehu eight chandeliers to decorate the Throne Hall.

known that in 1798-1801 by order of Paul I, who wanted to create in the Mikhailovsky Castle stressed ambiance, Zeh produced a total of 21 chandeliers. After Paul's death in 1801, his wife Maria Feodorovna left St. Michael's Castle, and the chandeliers were redirected to a different residence (the Winter Palace, Gatchina, Tsarskoe Selo and Pavlovsk).

Thus , this chandelier from the Pavlovsk Palace, most likely, is one of those that Zeh produced for the Mikhailovsky Castle. Until the early twentieth century, she graced the bedroom of Maria Feodorovna at the Pavlovsk Palace, as evidenced by the picture chandeliers in the interior.

After the death of Maria Feodorovna Pavlovsky Palace inherited the Grand Duke Constantine Pavlovich, and after his death, childless in 1831 the palace passed by inheritance to the Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich. It should be noted that during the reign of Nicholas I, all areas that are occupied by his parents - Paul I and Maria Feodorovna, received a memorial status and not subject to change. That is why the palaces of Gatchina, Tsarskoe Selo and Pavlovsk were preserved completely intact before the revolution.

After the revolution, a chandelier, along with other items from the imperial residences was sold Bolsheviks.

Source : Press Release Christie's