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Transcription: [double-headed eagle] The Schaffer Collection of Russian Imperial Art Treasures ROCKEFELLER CENTER, NEW YORK February 1, 1936 #92 Exceptionally beautiful and rare Imperial triptych icon, designed and executed by the celebrated Russian Court silversmith, "Ovchinnikov", and presented by the Nobility of the City of Charcoff to the Czar and Czarina, Alexander III [sic] and Maria Feodorovna, in celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of their marriage. In this example, all the ingenuity and resources of the artist were concentrated upon the workmanship of so important a piece, created to celebrate so momentous an occasion. Opening the icon, the central panel of sumptuous Russian design frames the exquisite portrait of the Blessed Virgin, clad in golden robes finely chased and patterned. The Virgin is wearing a crown sparkling with the brilliance of diamonds, rubies and emeralds, against a halo of filigree and enamel mounted with ovular-shaped pearls. The faces of the Virgin and Child are painted in miniature, and it is remarkable with what perfection the characterization and the details are rendered. Necklaces of diamonds and rubies appear around their necks, and on the cuff of the Virgin's sleeve, a diamond star with ruby center is mounted. The Child is also portrayed wearing the diadem of diamonds against the small halo, on which appears in Old Russian the inscription in the form of an abbreviation: "From God Proceeds". The background of the panel, filling in the serpentine-shaped Russian arch, is of sky-blue and forms a superb color contrast to the yellow gold of the Virgin's robes. Over this background, a vinelike design is entwined, studded here and there with rosette-like stars. Magnificently framing the large central panel, as well as the side ones, borders ingeniously wrought in all different types of chasing and filigree work are set with a variety of rubies, emeralds and sapphires, interspersed with rectangular panels done in soft shades of blue and red matte enamel. The side panels appropriately depict in fine relief, left, "St. Alexander Nevsky" (the patron saint of Alexander III [sic]), in armor and wearing ermine robes wrought in virgin silver, and on the right, "St. Maria Magdalene", (the patron saint of Maria Feodorovna). Above each at left and right, guardian angels kneel in the clouds in an attitude of devotion. Closed, the icon presents the fine filigree exterior framed in enamel, in the center of which there is a large Greek Catholic cross studded with rubies and sapphires. The reverse is inscribed as follows: "To Their Imperial Majesties from the Nobility of Charcoff. 1866-1891. October 28." It is signed by the artist "Ovchinnikov" and dated "1891", the year of its presentation to the Emperor and Empress of Russia. It is considered the finest jeweled icon ever created in Russia, and is the best witness to the mastery of this great artist. From the Alexandrovsky Palace at Tsarskoye Selo.

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Transcription: [double-headed eagle] #93 Gold and silver unusually fine icon portraying "Madonna and Child" and 9 saints in miniature as follows: 1 - St. Peter – Metropolitan of Moscow 2 – St. Alexis - " " " 3 – St. Ivann - " " " 4 - St. Prince Michael 5 – St. Boyard Theodor 6 – St. Dimitry the Blessed 7 – St. Vasily the Blessed (In whose name the famous church in Moscow was built by Ivann the Terrible. The church upon completion was so beautiful, that the Czar, fearing that it might be duplicated, had the architect blinded.) 8 – St. Michael the Martyr 9 – St. Ivann the Clairvoyant In a most unusually fine hand-made frame with beautiful enamel inlay and various Ural stones. It also bears a nameplate which reads as follows: "To His Imperial Highness Czarevitch and Grand Duke Alexis Nicholaievitch from the Nobility of Nijni Novgorod." It was made by "Chlebnikoff" (By Appointment to the Russian Royal family.) It is from the bedroom of the Czarevitch at the Alexandrovsky Palace at Tsarskoye Selo, where it was catalogued under number 70. $3,500.00

Transcription: [double-headed eagle] The Schaffer Collection of Russian Imperial Art Treasures ROCKEFELLER CENTER, NEW YORK December 1, 1936 #93 Gold and silver unusually fine icon portraying "Madonna and Child" and nine saints in miniature as follows: 1 – St. Peter – Metropolitan of Moscow 2 – St. Alexis – Metropolitan of Moscow 3 – St. Ivann – Metropolitan of Moscow 4 – St. Prince Michael 5 – St. Boyard Theodor 6 – St. Dimitry the Blessed 7 – St. Vasily the Blessed (In whose name the famous church in Moscow was built by Ivan the Terrible. The church upon completion was such a beautiful example of Russian architecture that the Czar, fearing that the church might be duplicated, had the architect blinded.) 8 – St. Michael the Martyr 9 – St. Ivann the Clairvoyant In a most unusually fine hand-made frame with beautiful enamel inlay and various Ural stones. It also bears the nameplate of Alexei Nicholaievitch, to whom it was presented by the Nobility of Nijni Novgorod. The plate reads as follows: "To His Imperial Highness Czarevitch and Grand Duke Alexei Nicholaievitch from the Nobility of Nijni Novgorod." It was made by "Chlebnikoff" (By Appointment to the Russian Royal Family). It is a remarkable example of the work of this fine Russian silversmith, who has made many outstanding objects for the Imperial family. It is from the bedroom of the Czarevitch at the Alexandrovsky Palace at Tsarskoye Selo, where it was catalogued under number 70.

Transcription: [double-headed eagle] The Schaffer Collection of Russian Imperial Art Treasures ROCKEFELLER CENTER, NEW YORK February 2, 1936 #972 Small gold picture frame of outstanding beauty, by "Carl Fabergé", famous court jeweler to the Czar of Russia. Of rounded, triangular shape, it has as its main area the chased guilloche surface enameled in light translucent blue, in a very graceful drape design. "Fabergé" was greatly renowned for this type of enameling and in this example, the enameling is further set off by a gold border chased with a wreath design of great delicacy. The actual opening for the picture is surrounded with a row of diamonds and surmounted by a ribbon bow. The back of the frame is paneled with ivory. From the Alexandrovsky Palace at Tsarskoye Selo.

Transcription: [double-headed eagle] The Schaffer Collection of Russian Imperial Art Treasures ROCKEFELLER CENTER, NEW YORK May 18, 1936 #980 Magnificently conceived and executed Imperial Russian seal made with gold and silver stem, supporting a perfectly carved and polished agate Easter egg. The setting holding the egg is of the most unusual and finely detailed workmanship. It is in the form of garlands of roses carved out of several shades of gold, as well as silver, and is bordered with beadwork. The stem likewise, is finely chased and consists of a polka dotted surface bound with a green gold wreath which flares out at the bottom into a circular base, the underside of which is minutely incised with the Russian Imperial double-headed Eagle. It is one of the creations of "Carl Fabergé, and fittingly illustrates his unique use of gold and rare semi-precious stones. From the Alexander Palace at Tsarskoye Selo.

Transcription: [double-headed eagle] The Schaffer Collection of Russian Imperial Art Treasures ROCKEFELLER CENTER, NEW YORK February 2, 1936 #982 Particularly beautiful icon depicting the "Transfiguration", showing "Christ" in an aura of light with (left), Elias, and (right), The Prophet Moses. Below Him are James, Peter and John, (lower left, center and right, respectively). Of the most exquisite workmanship, both for its very expressive quality and perfection of detail, it is painted in an almost monochromatic color scheme, relieved by the touches of purple, green and blue in the gowns of the saints. It is framed in translucent pale gray enamel with leaf and tendril design mountings, which are further [sic] enhanced by sapphires, emeralds and rubies. It is by "Carl Fabergé", celebrated court jeweler to the Czar of Russia, and is a superb example of his genius. From the Alexander Palace at Tsarskoye Selo.

Transcription: [double-headed eagle] The Schaffer Collection of Russian Imperial Art Treasures ROCKEFELLER CENTER, NEW YORK April 9, 1936 #986 A particularly beautiful and rare solid gold picture frame of a graceful, oriental shape, designed with entwining leaf tendrils set with the richest shades of the transparent enamel, which has today become a lost art and cannot be duplicated. It is a fine example of the work of the famous court jeweler "Hahn", who created some of the most prized specimens of the Russian Court Jewels. The superb workmanship of this master is evident in such details as the execution of the panel of ivory which holds the picture, also the gold easel supporting the frame. It is seldom indeed that one has the privilege of seeing a piece created by this great artist. From the Alexander Palace at Tsarskoye Selo.

Transcription: [double-headed eagle] The Schaffer Collection of Russian Imperial Art Treasures ROCKEFELLER CENTER, NEW YORK April 9, 1936 #987 Rectangular gold picture frame of exceptional quality and refinement, by "Carl Fabergé", court jeweler to the Czar of Russia. In this specimen, "Fabergé's" unique enamel, a translucent mauve is set off by a border wreath design of minute workmanship in two shades of gold. The opening for the picture, a tiny oval, is enclosed with beadwork attached at the top to festoons and ribbons of classical inspiration. The back is paneled with ivory. From the Alexander Palace at Tsarskoye Selo.

Transcription: [double-headed eagle] #989 Exquisite little octagonal nephrite box mounted with gold, and having hinged lid minutely chased with cherubs and flower garlands in low relief. It is bordered with an egg and dart motif and tiny beadwork of classical derivation, while the canted sides are set with alternating rows of diamonds and rubies. The craftsmanship displayed in this piece adequately shows the reason why Carl Faberge is often referred to as the "Cellini of the 19th century." From the Collection of the Czarina Alexandra Feodorovna, wife of Nicholas II, the late Czar of Russia. From the Alexander Palace at Tsarskoye Selo. $450.00