Live Auction 17187Russian Art
A JEWELLED SILVER AND GOLD MAID OF HONOUR CYPHER
Lot 315

A JEWELLED SILVER AND GOLD MAID OF HONOUR CYPHER

BY HAHN, ST PETERSBURG, CIRCA 1890, NUMBER 76

Closed3 June 2019

Price Realised

GBP 18,750

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A JEWELLED SILVER AND GOLD MAID OF HONOUR CYPHER
BY HAHN, ST PETERSBURG, CIRCA 1890, NUMBER 76
In the form of the Cyrillic initials 'MA' for Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, set with old-cut diamonds mounted on silver-topped gold, surmounted by a hinged diamond-set crown, apparently unmarked, numbered 'N76' on suspension loop
3 in. (7.6 cm.) high

Presented to Maria von Struve (1878-1969) in April 1898.
Collection Alexandre Djanchieff.
By descent to the present owner.

Specialist note

The present maid of honour cypher, numbered 76, is recorded in an invoice from Hahn to the Cabinet of His Imperial Majesty, dated 7 June 1897, costing 639 roubles. It was later entered into the Cabinet ledgers as part of a group of Maid of Honour cyphers under the number 85. On 11 April 1898, the cypher was presented to Maria von Struve (1878-1969), lady-in-waiting to Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna.
Maria von Struve was a daughter of Karl von Struve (1835-1907), a Russian nobleman and politician. Maria was married to the Major General Georgi Chevitch (1871-1966). After the Revolution of 1917, they emigrated to Paris.
We are grateful to Dr Valentin Skurlov for his assistance in researching the present lot.