Lot 0106
A Russian Enamelled Copper Bowl
Usolye (Solvychegodsk), 18th century
Estimate: 8000-12000€
A Russian Enamelled Copper Bowl
Usolye (Solvychegodsk), 18th century
Dimensions: 2.5 х 10 х 10 cm.
Painted in vibrant polychrome enamel with a central medallion depicting a dancing figure among tulips and foliage, the interior framed by scrolling floral ornament on a white ground. The exterior is richly decorated with floral motifs in circular reserves against a deep cobalt-blue background.
This bowl exemplifies the artistic excellence of the Usolye (Solvychegodsk) enamelling tradition of northern Russia, which flourished in the seventeenth century under the patronage of the Stroganov family. Originating from workshops established by Novgorod craftsmen in the mid-sixteenth century, the Usolye style is distinguished by its vivid palette, strong contour lines, and decorative rhythm derived from folk and wooden carving traditions.
By the second half of the seventeenth century, Usolye masters perfected the technique of painted enamel on copper, covering entire surfaces with colorful floral designs, birds, and narrative scenes. The favorite motifs included tulips, sunflowers, and whimsical figures inspired by both Russian folklore and Western engravings.
Comparable examples of Usolye enamelled wares are preserved in the State Historical Museum, Moscow, and the Armoury Chamber of the Moscow Kremlin.
Starting price: 6000€
Estimate: 8000-12000€
Hammer Price: UNSOLD€
Related Lots
-
Lot 0108
P. Ovchinnikov. Russian Complete Silver-Gilt Tea Set
Estimate: 6000-8000€
Lot 0108
P. Ovchinnikov. Russian Complete Silver-Gilt Tea Set
Estimate: 6000-8000€A Russian Silver Tea Service in the Original Fitted Wood Case
Maker’s mark of Pavel Ovchinnikov with Imperial Warrant
St. Petersburg, 1895
Total silver weight: 1302 g
Height of teapot: 14 cm
Dimensions of the box: 30.5 × 50.5 × 14 cmComprising a teapot, sugar bowl, cream jug, tea strainer, sugar tongs, and twelve spoons, all finely crafted in silver and preserved in the original velvet-lined wooden traveling case, the interior of the lid stamped in gilt with the Imperial double-headed eagle and the Cyrillic inscription Iz magazina fabrikanta P. Ovchinnikova (“From the shop of the manufacturer P. Ovchinnikov”).
Pavel Akimovich Ovchinnikov (1830–1888) was one of the most distinguished Russian silversmiths and enamel artists of the nineteenth century. Born a serf, he trained in Moscow and, after purchasing his freedom in 1850, founded his own workshop in 1851. By the 1860s, his factory had become one of the largest in Russia, employing over a hundred craftsmen and gaining recognition as the leading innovator of the Neo-Russian style.
Appointed official supplier to the Imperial Court in 1865, Ovchinnikov mastered and revived ancient Russian techniques in silver creations, often decorated with folkloric motifs, became symbols of Russian national identity and artistic revival.
Today, works by Ovchinnikov are represented in the State Hermitage Museum, the State Historical Museum, and the Russian Museum, as well as in major private collections worldwide.
Starting price: 5000€
Estimate: 6000-8000€
Hammer Price: UNSOLD€ -
Lot 0105
Russian Enamelled Copper Bowl Usolye (Solvychegodsk),18th century
Estimate: 5000-7000€
Lot 0105
Russian Enamelled Copper Bowl Usolye (Solvychegodsk),18th century
Estimate: 5000-7000€A Russian Enamelled Copper Bowl
Usolye (Solvychegodsk),18th century
Dimensions: 4.5 х 9.5 х 9.5 cm.Finely painted in polychrome enamel with stylized floral and bird motifs on a white ground, framed by circular and oval medallions against a deep cobalt-blue background. The composition combines strong color contrasts and rhythmic ornament, characteristic of the celebrated Usolye enamel tradition of northern Russia.
Usolye (then known as Solvychegodsk) emerged as one of the principal centers of Russian enamel art in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, founded under the patronage of the Stroganov merchant family. The early workshops, originally staffed by Novgorod craftsmen, developed a distinct regional style distinguished by vivid color palettes and expressive linework.
By the mid-seventeenth century, Usolye enamellers mastered painted enamel on copper, depicting large-scale floral and zoomorphic compositions—tulips, sunflowers, birds, and animals—set against white enamel grounds and separated by twisted filigree borders. These works were prized for their decorative richness and often adorned festive cups, caskets, mirrors, and domestic vessels.
Comparable enamelled wares from Usolye are preserved in the collections of the State Historical Museum, Moscow, and the Armoury Chamber of the Moscow Kremlin.
Starting price: 4000€
Estimate: 5000-7000€
Hammer Price: UNSOLD€ -
Lot 0104
Bragin. Covered Jar in the Form of Ushat
Estimate: 4500-6000€
Lot 0104
Bragin. Covered Jar in the Form of Ushat
Estimate: 4500-6000€Bragin. Covered jar in the form of ushat.
Silver, casting, chasing, gilding, copper-ruby glass.
Makers mark of «A.B. Bragin». Petersburg, 1892.
This leaded casket combines deep red copper-ruby glass with finely crafted silver mounts. The lid is topped with a cast silver cauliflower and leaves, serving as both handle and decoration. The transparent red glass body highly like produced by Imperial glass manufactory, shaped in the form of a traditional Russian ushat (water pail).
Andrei Stepanovich Bragin (active late 19th – early 20th century)
A respected St. Petersburg silversmith, Bragin opened his workshop in 1888, producing high-quality silver tableware, flatware, and decorative objects. His pieces, often in the Modern style with Pan-Slavic and natural motifs, gained particular fame for enamelled tea sets inspired by Russian folk embroidery. Though smaller than Fabergé’s firm, Bragin’s workshop earned wide recognition, exhibiting in St. Petersburg and Brussels, and his works are now preserved in major museums and collections. Dimensions: 16.5 x 14.5 x 14.5 cm. Total weight of the lid: 430 g.Starting price: 3500€
Estimate: 4500-6000€
Hammer Price: UNSOLD€ -
Lot 0107
Imperial Porcelain Manufactory. Plaque «Lady Holding a Snuffbox»
Estimate: 1500-2000€
Lot 0107
Imperial Porcelain Manufactory. Plaque «Lady Holding a Snuffbox»
Estimate: 1500-2000€Imperial porcelain manufactory. Plaque «Lady Holding a Snuffbox»
Porcelain, silver, chasing.
Makers mark of «DO». Porcelain – second half of the 18th century, silver – 1898-1908.
Dimensions: 7.9 x 8.9 x 1.2 cm.
Total weight: 78.3 gPainted porcelain plaque depicting a young woman in a lace bonnet and blue dress, shown holding a small snuffbox and a note inscribed with the recipient’s name, Cabinet Courier Bartenev. This plaque referred to the inner side of the lid of a “Packet” Snuffbox addressed to Cabinet Courier Bartenev (Imperial Porcelain Factory. 1750s). See the attachments.
“Packet” snuffboxes were so called because they resembled small postal envelopes or packets. Such snuffboxes were not only used for storing tobacco, but also as a discreet “love mail” exchange in fashionable society.
Silver Workshop of Dmitry Ivanovich Orlov
Founded by Serpukhov merchant Dmitry Orlov, the workshop grew into one of Moscow’s leading producers of silver church vessels. By the 1870s it employed up to 200 craftsmen and collaborated with artists and sculptors, earning a Large Silver Medal at the 1865 Moscow Manufacturing Exhibition.
References: S. N. Kazakov. “Packet” Snuffboxes of the Imperial Porcelain Factory. St. Petersburg, 1913. P. 173-177.Starting price: 1200€
Estimate: 1500-2000€
Hammer Price: UNSOLD€