Casket
Casket
Russia, Moscow
1913
Imperial Stroganov School
Brass; enamel over filigree, silver-plating
7.0 х 13.0 х 9.4 cm
Rectangular casket with a trapezium-shaped hinged lid decorated with enamel filigree in the 17th century style. The sides of the casket are decorated with images of grape-vines with leaves and bunches of grapes over yellow background and surrounded by rectangular frames in the form of filigree rings filled with enamel. An image of a grape-vine over the yellow background decorates the edges of the “inclined” lid. An image of the Imperial eagle under the crown on green background is in the medallion in the center of the lid. The medallion is framed with filigree curls and floral ornament on turquoise background. The enamels colour scheme is based on the combination of the blue, turquoise, green, red, black and yellow tints.
This casket can be dated back to 1913 and referred to the Imperial Stroganov School luxury special-order gift articles, which were, presumably, made after the sketch by M.K. Tenisheva and associated with the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty.
Items from the Stroganov School are unique examples of applied and decorative arts made by either one of the students under the supervision of the teacher and the master or in cooperation with several workshops (embossing, enamelling, assembly and etc.), opened after 1902. In their work they used copper, brass, bronze, and silver, highlighting the properties of the metals, their ductility and decorative features. One could purchase finished items at the School's showroom or at the All-Russian and International Exhibitions where students of the Stroganov workshops took part. The School often made gifts to the members of the imperial family.
Ref.: S.Fedunov. Metal artwork, Imperial Stroganov School, the beginning of the 20th century // Antiques, art items and items for collection. М., 2008. No. 1-2 (54). pages 4-21.
Инв.857/ДПИ