A collection of fine Russian arms – swords and pistols – stand out in Bonhams next sale of Antique Arms, Armour and Modern Sporting Guns to be held at Knightsbridge, on July 27.
Lot 292 is a Russian silver-gilt mounted hunting hanger which bears St Petersburg marks for 1851 and is conservatively estimated to sell for between £5,000 and £7,000.
The sword, though Russian, has English connections. Karl Tegelsten supplied silverware for the famous St. Petersburg firm of silver retailers Nichols and Plinke, known as the Magazin Anglais (‘the English shop’). Founded by two Englishmen Constantine Nicholas and William Plinke who were granted Russian citizenship in 1804, the firm was active between 1829 and 1870 supplying the aristocracy and the Imperial Court. It was one of the most exclusive shops in Russia and before Faberge had established his reputation the firm was considered to be the leading retailers of luxury goods.
Armour is increasingly appreciated as an art form and Bonhams are selling a particularly fine example of German armour. Described as a very fine early 17th Century North German cuirassier’s black and white three-quarter armour, it is estimated to sell for £25,000 to £28,000.
Described in 1965 by the leading authority, Claude Blair, as “one of the best specimens of its kind that I know”, it is made of blackened steel with domed rivets and partly roped edges.
Previous owners of the armour include J. Seymour Lucas, R.A. (1849-1923) the famous historical and portrait painter, collector of arms and armour and former President of the Meyrick Society who depicted the armour in his work including An Ambuscade, Edgehill, 1878; Disputed Strategy, 1882; and Charles I Before Gloucester, 1881.
It was exhibited in a distinguished collection of Arms and Armor on permanent display at the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, 1968.
Russian Swords Awarded for Bravery
Lots 224 and 225 are rare Russian Officers’ 1913 pattern cavalry sabre awarded for bravery from the reign Of Tsar Nicholas II (1894-1917), Circa 1913.
Estimated at £3,000 to £5,000 and £1,200 to £1,500 they are engraved with the words – For Bravery in Russian.
Rare 1840 Russian enclosed-action pocket pistols £6,000 to £8,000
Lot 516, is a fine example of this rare pistol type which has all of the working parts enclosed within the body of the gun. Its provenance states that it is believed by family tradition to have been acquired by the famous Liege gunmaker Augustus Francotte from Prince Anatole Demidoff Prince de San Donato (1812-1870) of the well-known mining and weapon manufacturing family, famous as a traveller and patron of the arts.
For more details visit the Bonhams
web site.
