Lot 0181
Sazikov. Icon “Saint Martyr Sophia” in silver-gild and champleve enamel oklad.
Estimate: 5000-6000€
Sazikov. Icon “Saint Martyr Sophia”
Tempera on zinc, silver-gilt oklad with cloisonné enamel and semi-precious stones
Makers mark: “Sazikov”with Imperial warrant. Moscow, 1858
A rare Russian icon depicting Saint Martyr Sophia, shown in prayer against a mountainous landscape with ancient Rome city in the background. The figure is framed by a richly shaped silver-gilt oklad adorned with blue champlevé enamel, cabochon stones, and delicate ornamental engraving.
The icon was made by the renowned Sazikov workshop, founded in 1793 by Pavel Fyodorovich Sazikov. By the mid-19th century, under Ignaty Pavlovich Sazikov, the firm had become one of Russia’s most important silversmiths and was granted the title of Court Jeweler.
The Sazikov factory was celebrated for its superb craftsmanship in church silver—icon oklads, chalices, and liturgical vessels—and for introducing advanced casting and chasing techniques inspired by European innovations. Its works adorned major cathedrals, including St. Isaac’s Cathedral in St. Petersburg. Dimensions: 19,5 x 15 x 2,5 cm.
Starting price: 4000€
Estimate: 5000-6000€
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Born in Morshansk, Tambov province, into a French family that had settled in Russia, Lanceray was the son of a railway engineer. He studied law at St. Petersburg University but received no formal artistic training, instead learning sculpture independently and working from life. He visited workshops of established sculptors, including Nikolai Liberich, and undertook study trips to Paris in 1867 and 1876, where he studied bronze casting and became acquainted with European art.Lanceray traveled widely across Russia, Ukraine, the Caucasus, the Crimea, Bashkiria, and Kyrgyz lands, and in 1883 visited Algeria. His wax models, later cast in bronze, gained great popularity. Many of his works carried strong national, historical, or ethnographic character, and he also created pieces devoted to the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878. In addition, he designed table services and desk sets.
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Period: 1889 – 1903.
In 1889 – 1890 the products were marked as Chopin & Berto.
Felix Chopin’s foundry has been passed over to Karl Berto in around 1890.
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