An outstanding pair of porcelain vases in Christie's Russian bid
ARTinvestment.RU   17 ноября 2011

Russian bid for Christie's in London on 28 November will be an outstanding pair of Imperial Porcelain Factory vases estimate: 1.7-2.2 million pounds

< /a> pair of porcelain vases with handles Imperial Porcelain Factory, St. Petersburg, era of Nicholas I, 1835 and 1836. Height: 137.2 cm, including the pedestal Christie's. 28.11.11 Estimate: 1.7-2.2 million pounds Source: Press Release Christie's

undisputed favorite of the forthcoming Russian week in London will be an outstanding pair of vases with handles that were created by the Imperial Porcelain Factory (estimate: 1.7-2.2 million pounds). In recent years, such works of applied art successfully sold at Christie's, so in the Russian trade, which will be held November 28, 2011, will be put up for sale is one monumental pair of porcelain vases.

Karl Ludwig von Ficquelmont Source: Press Release Christie's

These excellent vases were presented as a gift to Emperor Nicholas I to Karl Ludwig von Ficquelmont (1777-1857), is an extraordinary ambassador of Austria to the Russian Imperial Court from 1829 to 1839. Graf von Finkelmon was one of the closest advisers of the Austrian Chancellor Metternich and had an extensive influence on the representatives of both the Austrian and the Russian court. On a scale diplomatic activity graph Ficquelmont as extraordinary ambassador was comparable (if not eclipsed) with the authority, which his wife, the Countess Dolly Ficquelmont (nee Tiesenhausen) had the highest society of St. Petersburg at that time. As the granddaughter of Marshal Kutuzov, the countess was a frequent guest at the imperial court. As mistress of his own salon in St. Petersburg she earned a reputation as a prominent figure in social and literary life of the capital. Salon of Countess Ficquelmont regularly visited by such luminaries of Russian literature, as Ivan Turgenev, Peter Vyazemsky, Ivan Kozlov and famous poet Alexander Pushkin.

After years of diplomatic missions in 1839, von Finkelmon was recalled to Vienna , where he waited as Minister for Foreign Affairs in the absence of Metternich. Taking into account the impressive size and date of manufacture of these vases, it can be concluded that they were presented to the Count in gratitude for his outstanding achievements in the service of the imperial court.

Nicholas I Photo © The State Hermitage Museum Source: Press Release Christie's

During the reign of Emperor Nicholas I (1796-1855), acting as a patron of Russian art of that time, the volume of the Imperial Porcelain Factory reached its peak and started work in this period are the best examples of the palace and presentation products. The works of this scale primarily intended for donation and, thus, their design should be reflected artistic preferences of the emperor himself. Often they were given directly to members of the royal family on the occasion of these festivals, like Christmas or Easter, then decorating the numerous palatial halls, mansions and pavilions, whose construction at the time was gaining momentum. Vases of this size are often ordered by the Emperor for the gifted to the heads of foreign diplomats, and in recognition of their special merits.

While many of the vases, created by the masters of the Imperial Porcelain Factory, decorated with copies of paintings by Old Masters in the center of the medallions. In most cases these were smaller versions of works are in collections of the Imperial Hermitage, the Academy of Fine Arts and near the capital city of palaces. As a rule, on vases as was indicated The original artist, and performed the master copy.

PHILLIPS VAUVERMAN hunt deer. 1665-1668 The State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg Source: Press Release Christie's

PHILLIPS VAUVERMAN Administration in pursuit. 1665-1668 Dresden Gallery of Old Masters Source: Press Release Christie's

These vases decorated with colorful detail and issued copies of the works of Dutch painter famous Vauvermana Phillips (1619-1668) made master of the Imperial Porcelain Factory M. Kornilov (d. 1852). Born in Haarlem, Vauverman made an invaluable contribution to Dutch painting of the XVII century. His work has enjoyed success both in life and after his death, especially in the XVIII century. In the former imperial collections throughout Europe, from Dresden to St. Petersburg, contains many examples of the influence exerted by the elegant and refined paintings Phillips Vauvermana.

created in 1835 a vase decorated with a copy of genre scenes Vauvermana entitled " Hunting for deer. "In 1772 the painting was purchased by Catherine the Great to the Hermitage, where he is to this day. Outstanding provenance fabric is reflected in the close attention of the Imperial Porcelain Factory Wizard Kornilov in the performance of copies, which he managed to convey the atmosphere of a detailed manner picturesque scenery, composition and color palette of the original.

second vase, dating from the 1836 year, is decorated with a copy of Vauvermana "Administration of the chase," which also marked the highest craftsmanship and attention to detail, including human figures and landscape elements. Original paintings, executed about 1665-1668 years, was purchased by the King of Poland and Elector of Saxony Augustus III (1693-1763) from the Paris collections at Burba de Vaux in 1749. Subsequently, the picture has expanded collection of the Dresden Royal Picture Gallery and is now in the Dresden Gallery of Old Masters. At both copies of the paintings are successful Vauvermana pair, since both are depicted by the artist's favorite hunting scenes. As in the first case, the master of the Imperial Porcelain Factory was detailed to convey the atmosphere of the original.