AN IMPORTANT DIAMOND, TURQUOISE AND SEED PEARL PORTRAIT MINIATURE BRACELET

Notice Regarding the Sale of Ivory and Tortoiseshe… Read more

It was a customary and very high honor at Russian Court to recieve personal awards from the Imperial family with the reigning Czar's portrait. This portrait of "The Iron Czar" Nicolas I was painted by Ivan Andreevich Winberg who was a famous portrait miniaturist for the Imperial family in the early part of the 19th century. Winberg, of Swedish origin, was a professor and academic at the St. Petersburg Academy of Art in 1846 and died in 1851. His specialty was oval watercolors on ivory plaques. The turquoise interlaced bracelet replicates the motif formed by the Russian letter "N" to further tribute Nicolas I. The blue sash he is shown wearing represents the Order of St. Andrew established in 1690 by Peter the Great. This highest dignity was bestowed upon future heirs to the throne and Princes of Imperial blood.

Details

AN IMPORTANT DIAMOND, TURQUOISE AND SEED PEARL PORTRAIT MINIATURE BRACELET
The detachable oval portrait miniature, depicting Nicolas I as a young Russian officer in military uniform and Order of St. Andrew blue sash, framed by a rose-cut diamond foliate motif, to the old mine and old European-cut diamond surround, joined to an intertwined cabochon turquoise, seed pearl, old mine and old European-cut diamond hinged cuff bracelet of openwork design, mounted in silver and gold, (three small rose-cut diamonds and turquoise cabochon deficient), circa 1840, 2½ ins. diameter
Portrait signed Winberg, for Ivan Andreevich Winberg

Provenance

1951, New York, Hammer Galleries
10 November 1976, Geneva, Christie's, lot 222

Special notice

Notice Regarding the Sale of Ivory and Tortoiseshell Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing ivory or tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

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