On 5th June, Christie's Russian Art Sale took place in their King Street sale room in London's St. James. The 255 lot strong sale achieved a total of £5 050 750, including buyer’s premium. Of this figure, the Russian silverware sent into our Valuation Service accounted for over £40 000.
This stunning example of Russian craftsmanship, a gem-set silver-gilt cloisonné casket from Moscow, 1899-1908. The piece, made by Antip Kuzmichev, was retailed by Tiffany & Co. Many of Kuzmichev's designs were sold by the U.S. luxury jewellers, and in recent years, his works can reach in excess of £275 000. Check out more realised prices for Antip Kuzmichev here.
The piece sent in by a Barnebys user sold at Christie's for a hammer price of £8 500, a great figure against an estimate of £5 000-7 000.
The second consignment was another intricately patterned casket, marked P. Ovchinnikov with the Imperial warrant, Moscow, 1881. Icons by P. Ovchinnikov are desirable on the secondary market, with pieces selling for up to £242 000. In 2008, at Christie's, a silver-gilt cloisonné punch bowl set by Ovchinnikov sold for £760 000, against an estimate of £158 000–238 000. The piece sent in to our valuation service sold for £9 000, £1 000 over the low estimate. Check out more P. Ovchinnikov pieces sold at auction.
Finally, a stunning silver-gilt champlevé enamel tea and coffee service, also marked P. Ovchinnikov with the Imperial warrant, Moscow, 1881 sold for a staggering £26 000 against an estimate of £15 000-25 000. These figures showcase the appetite for the highest quality silverware on the secondary market.
Have something you think could sell just as well at auction? Send your pieces in to Barnebys Valuation Service here.
