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拍品專文
Carving from walrus and mamonth ivory has had a long tradition within popular Russian folk art since the middle ages, originating in the northern regions but enjoying greater popularity in the second half of the eighteenth century. Several production centers of ivory carving were well known at the time. These included Holmogory, Archangelsk, Moscow and St. Petersburg. In the second half of the eighteenth century the best craftsmen migrated to St. Petersburg to practice their skills. They mostly produced small items such as caskets, work-boxes, toilet boxes, and combs. The wealthier clientele also commissioned miniature cabinets, toilet tables and bureau cabinets. Understandably the most costly objects were furniture items veneered with delicately carved plaques. The Czars long patronized this specifically Russian craft and numerous smaller pieces are still to be found in Russian museums and Imperial residences.
The most famous master of ivory carving was Osip Christophorovich Dudin (1714-1780). Dudin originated from Holmogory, where his father was the most educated man in the village owning a very large library which was used by the great Russian scientist M.V. Lomonosov and undoubtedly where Osip Dudin derived most of his own literary sources. Dudin came to St. Petersburg in 1757 where his advertisement proclaimed as 'a master of ivory carving, Osip Dudin makes various ivory items, such as: chess pieces, stamps, tabacco boxes, knife handles, jewelry boxes, work boxes, cabinets made from various woods, canes, violin bows, etc.' Dudin's refined and exquisitely carved portraits singled him out as the undisputed master of carved objects in the second half of the eighteenth century. The Imperial records underline his valuable skills by the great sums paid for his objects which were often costlier than jewelry and silver.
The most famous master of ivory carving was Osip Christophorovich Dudin (1714-1780). Dudin originated from Holmogory, where his father was the most educated man in the village owning a very large library which was used by the great Russian scientist M.V. Lomonosov and undoubtedly where Osip Dudin derived most of his own literary sources. Dudin came to St. Petersburg in 1757 where his advertisement proclaimed as 'a master of ivory carving, Osip Dudin makes various ivory items, such as: chess pieces, stamps, tabacco boxes, knife handles, jewelry boxes, work boxes, cabinets made from various woods, canes, violin bows, etc.' Dudin's refined and exquisitely carved portraits singled him out as the undisputed master of carved objects in the second half of the eighteenth century. The Imperial records underline his valuable skills by the great sums paid for his objects which were often costlier than jewelry and silver.