Live Auction 7598Russian Art
A silver-mounted wooden box containing views of Moscow
Lot 373

A silver-mounted wooden box containing views of Moscow

CIRCA 1901

Closed11 June 2008

Price Realised

GBP 4,375

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A silver-mounted wooden box containing views of Moscow
circa 1901
Rectangular, the hinged cover with raised border, applied with silver engraved ribbon tying oak and laurel branches, with '1976-1901 XXV', and en plein enamel coat of arms of Moscow surmounted by a silver Imperial crown and with the inscription 'Moskau' below, further applied with a monogram MDA in foliate scrolls and a silver presentation plaque, the hinged front opening to release thirty-seven colour prints, thirty-five with views of Moscow and two of Samoyed groups from the Arkhangel'sk region, each mounted on decorative gilt-edged card, apparently unmarked
19½ in. (49.5 cm.) long
The inscription on the cover reads: 'To Sir Thomas Beecham. Bart. The Great Pioneer of Russian Art in England. Of happy co-operation During the Russian Opera & Ballet Season. Lyceum, May. 15th. to June 27th.. 1931. Prince A. Zereteli. W. de Basil.'
This lot also includes a copy of the original Gala Performance programme.

Specialist note

Sir Thomas Beecham (1879-1961) was a famous English conductor and impresario. He was educated in Oxford and studied composition privately in London and in Paris under Moritz Moszkowski in Paris but he was a self-taught conductor with no formal training. He founded both the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and became artistic director of Covent Garden Opera. He had a great international influence and was the major influence on the music life of Britain. For his achievments he was knighted in 1916. He is responsible for introducing the British public to many Russian operas and the Ballets Russes.