Catalogue

A Russian brass samovar in the shape of a faceted vase with stamps. Batashev Brothers, Tula, 1870s. Capacity: 7.5 liters.
Height: 47 cm.

Starting price: 700€
Estimate: 800-1000€

Rare memorial pilgrim Cross with the Crucifixion
Palestine, probably Jerusalem, second half of the 19th century
Wood, mother-of-pearl; carved and pierced relief
Dimensions: 22 x 13,5 x 5,5 cm.
A wooden four-ended cross with expanded, shaped terminals, clad on the front and along the edges with finely carved mother-of-pearl plaques. At the center is a high-relief representation of the Crucified Christ. Above His head appears the titulus with the inscription INRI, while below is the skull of Adam, the traditional symbol of Golgotha and of Christ’s redemptive sacrifice. The four terminals contain carved representations of the Evangelists, each shown seated within an architectural setting. Pierced borders and radiating mother-of-pearl elements lend the object a refined silhouette and enhance the shimmering quality of its surface.
This type of object belongs to the group of Christian pilgrimage souvenirs known as eulogiae, that is, blessed devotional keepsakes acquired at major sacred centers. In 19th-century Palestine, especially in Jerusalem, workshops produced a wide range of such objects in mother-of-pearl, from small crosses and icons to more elaborate liturgical works. The present example is characteristic of that tradition in both material and iconography.
Of particular importance is the handwritten Cyrillic inscription on the reverse, now partly faded. It may be read approximately as identifying the object as a “Jerusalem cross” given to Hieromonk Father Polycarp of the Russian monastery on Mount Athos “as a blessing and in remembrance of the most holy places.”

Starting price: 2500€
Estimate: 3500-5000€
Hammer Price: 4 000 €

A 19th c. Persian antique Islamic brass powder flask

A Persian powder flask of characteristic shape, made of brass and decorated with intricate floral motifs.

Dimensions: 18.8 x 16 x 5 cm.

Starting price: 120€
Estimate: 150-200€
Hammer Price: UNSOLD€

A Russian brass egg-shaped samovar with stamps. Batashev Brothers, Tula, 19th century.
Height: 43 cm.

Starting price: 250€
Estimate: 300-350€

A 19th c. Ottoman Balkan Middle Eastern powder flask

Dimensions: 30.5 x 10 x 10 cm.

Starting price: 70€
Estimate: 100-150€
Hammer Price: 70€

Russin Icon of Saint Seraphim of Sarov
Moscow, Ivan Alexeevich Alexeev, 1899-1908.
Tempera on wood, silver oklad, enamel.
Marked: maker’s mark of IAA; 84 zolotnik silver standard, Moscow assay mark. Dimensions: 22,7 x 18 x 3,3 cm.
A refined icon in pseudo-russian style depicting Saint Seraphim of Sarov, shown half-length in monastic habit and epitrachelion, with his right hand placed upon his chest in a gesture of prayerful humility. The saint’s ascetic face, softly modelled and framed by a long pale beard, is set within an elaborate silver oklad, while the halo is enriched with polychrome enamel ornament of stylised foliate scrolls in blue, white, red, and pale green. At the lower border – plaque with the saint’s name in blue cloisonne enamel.
The icon was produced in the workshop of Ivan Alexeevich Alexeev, a Moscow silversmith and owner of a factory founded in 1876, known for silver icons, folding shrines, and other devotional objects in 84 standard silver. Alexeev’s works, marked “И.А.” or “И.А.А.”, are valued for the quality of their execution and for their characteristic combination of silver mounting and enamel decoration.
Comparable items: https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2025/faberge-imperial-revolutionary-art-l25113/a-parcel-gilt-cloisonne-and-champleve-enamel-icon-2 https://www.christies.com.cn/en/lot/an-important-cloisonne-enamel-silver-gilt-triptych-icon-6321969/?intObjectID=6321969&lid=3

Starting price: 6000€
Estimate: 8000-12000€
Hammer Price: Not sold