Live Auction 10401Russian Art
A PARCEL-GILT SILVER IMPERIAL PRESENTATION KOVSH
Lot 390

A PARCEL-GILT SILVER IMPERIAL PRESENTATION KOVSH

PROBABLY MOSCOW, 1707

Closed30 November 2015

Price Realised

GBP 40,000

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A PARCEL-GILT SILVER IMPERIAL PRESENTATION KOVSH
PROBABLY MOSCOW, 1707
Of traditional form with raised prow and handle, the bowl repoussé with a circular reserve centring an Imperial double-headed eagle with the orb and sceptre, within chased scrolling foliage and repoussé laurel wreath, the interior sides and handle engraved with scrolling foliage, the exterior sides engraved with Old Russian dedication inscription 'By the Grace of God We Great Lord Tsar and Great Prince Petr Alekseevich, Autocrat of all Great, Little and White Russia, presented this kovsh to Ataman of the Donskii voisko at the Legkaya Stanitsa Efrem Petrov for his service on 14 November 1707', the finial cast as an Imperial double-headed eagle, apparently unmarked
13 in. (33 cm.) wide
21.55 oz. (670.3 gr.)

Anonymous sale; Sotheby's, London, 29 April 1999, lot 302.

Specialist note

Ataman of the Don Cossack Voisko from 1702 to his death in 1708, Efrem Petrov established the Efremov family as one of the leading families in the Don territory.

Efrem Petrov fought against the Swedish army in the Great Northern War, and lead the Don Cossacks in the Livland campaign of 1702. During the Bulavin rebellion in 1707-1708, triggered by tensions between the Imperial government and the Don Cossacks, Efrem Petrov became a strong supporter of Peter the Great. The present kovsh, given to him in 1707, was most likely a reward for his loyal service. During the Bulavin’s siege of Cherkassk Efrem Petrov was assassinated in 1708.