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DECO FANTASIES
with natural inclusions. There were also works of art defined as “imperial and noble”, by a second lieutenant of the Imperial Navy in a Royal European code connected to the world of diplomacy and history. As regards the handiwork of Fabergé and the Russian works of art, the auction highlighted the diversity of production which has characterised Russia during the period mentioned. The floral soup tureens and the gold plates of the Imperial Porcelain Factory are in contrast with the figurines realised by the Soviet Porcelain Factory. The change of century highlights the passage from the traditional drawings of enamelled crockery and silver in bright colours, to the modern luxury items of the Fabergé maison and to the trompe l’oeil creations in silver masterfully chiselled. A series of icons was also presented, from the large panel icons of the 17th century to smaller with “oklads” finely enamelled dating from the 19th and the 20th centuries. As regards the vertu and gold boxes section the auction presented one of the first and rare snuff boxes in hardstone mounted in gold by the master Louis Siriès, one of the six gold boxes signed by the famous artisan, “privileged goldsmith” of Louis 15th. The developments of the late 18th century are exemplified in the chiselled, turned or enamelled gold boxes, of the jewellers of Paris, Geneva and Hanau, as well as an unusual robot with songbird in the shape of an elephant. Artisans of the 20th century were also presented such as Ilias Lalounis, which has showed the skill
of the jeweller to the era of luxury objects.
In alto: Kovsh, ciotola cilindrica in argento dorato e smalto cloisonné. Feodor Rückert, Mosca, 1908-1917. A fianco: Kovsh in argento dorato e smalto cloisonné, incastonato con gemme. Feodor Rückert, Mosca, 1908-1917.
Above: Kovsh, cylindrical bowl, in silver-gilt and cloisonné enamel. Feodor Rückert, Moscow, 1908-1917. At the side: Kovsh, gem-set silver-gilt and cloisonné enamel. Feodor Rückert, Moscow, 1908-1917.