Live Auction 7906Russian Art
Two Gold-Mounted Hardstone Desk Seals
Lot 189

Two Gold-Mounted Hardstone Desk Seals

MARKS OF SAMUEL ARNDT, ST PETERSBURG, MID-TO-LATE 19TH CENTURY

Closed8 June 2010

Price Realised

GBP 5,250

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Two Gold-Mounted Hardstone Desk Seals
Marks of Samuel Arndt, St Petersburg, mid-to-late 19th century
The first with handle part-enamelled in turquoise, Rococo-style mount, and matrix engraved with the crowned initial of Emperor Nicholas I; the second with lapis lazuli handle, Gothic-style pierced openwork mount, and matrix engraved with the coats-of-arms of the Russian Empire and the Grand Duchy of Baden, marked on mounts
The lapis lazuli seal 4 in. (10.2 cm.) high (2)

Grand Duke Michael Mikhailovich (1861-1929) and thence by family descent.

Specialist note

The Baden arms are probably related to Princess Cecile of Baden (1839-1891), who married Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaievich (1832-1909) of Russia, the youngest son of Emperor Nicholas I. Cecile, who took the name Olga Feodorovna following her conversion to the Orthodox faith, was the mother of Grand Duke Michael Mikhailovich.