- More
Important Tsar Alexander I Diamond and Enamel Imperial Presentation Bracelet. St. Petersburg, early 19th century, unmarked... (Total: 2 Items)
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.Description
Important Tsar Alexander I Diamond and Enamel Imperial Presentation BraceletSt. Petersburg, early 19th century, unmarked, possibly by the Théremin brothers
The center applied with crowned initial A for Alexander I Pavlovich, Emperor of Russia (r. 1801-1825), set with rose diamonds on an oval royal blue guilloché enameled plaque, surrounded by twelve graduated old mine-cut diamonds within an openwork diamond surround of scrolls set with old mine-cut diamonds framing two diamond clusters, each comprising a central old mine-cut diamond surrounded by nine old mine-cut diamonds, attached to a royal blue guilloché enamel and gold hinged bangle, diamond section may be detached to form a brooch-central enamel plaque with diamond surround-1 3/4 in. long; entire diamond section-2 1/4 in. wide. Total approximate weight of diamonds: 18.50 carats
Alexander I (1777-1825)
Russia's most enigmatic Tsar, Alexander reigned from 1801 to 1825. He was brought to power by a palace coup and reversed the reactionary course on which his murdered father, Paul I, had set Russia. The liberal first half of his reign came to an end when Napoleon invaded Russia in 1812. Alexander's defeat of the French marked one of the most glorious epochs of Russian history.
Set with the Tsar's crowned diamond initial, this bracelet of outstanding workmanship was presented by the Emperor at the turn of the 19th century. Although the recipient is as yet unknown (this may surface with archival research), bejeweled gifts bearing the cipher of the Sovereign were usually destined for members of the Russian or European nobility, people close to the Imperial family, and foreign court dignitaries. Although unmarked, the bracelet's crosshatched guilloché pattern, monogram design, and diamond settings are characteristics of the Russian workmanship of the Théremin brothers of St. Petersburg, court jewelers and members of the foreign masters guild who settled in Russia in 1793. For an Alexander I diamond ring of similar inspiration in the Hermitage Museum, see Gold of the Tsars: 100 Masterpieces of the Hermitage St. Petersburg, Stuttgart, 1995, p. 179. And for an Alexander I presentation box by Pierre Théremin, see Alexander von Solodkoff's Russian Gold and Silverwork, New York, fig. 194.
Few examples of Russian early 19th century Imperial jewelry ever appear on the market. No other comparable Alexander I bracelet seems to have surfaced at auction in the past 30 years.
Provenance:
Purchased from A la Vieille Russie
Auction Info
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid (minimum $9) per lot.
This item cannot be shipped using standard methods. Please contact us for more information. Sales Tax information
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms
Floor auctions
Open for bidding: (View All)US Coins
Ends on 01/23/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Ends on 01/23/2021
Currency
Ends on 01/23/2021
Currency
Ends on 01/23/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Ends on 01/24/2021
Currency
Ends on 01/24/2021
Decorative Art
Ends on 01/28/2021
US Coins
Ends on 01/29/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 02/03/2021
Sports Collectibles
Ends on 02/04/2021
Jewelry & Timepieces
Ends on 02/05/2021
Luxury Accessories
Ends on 02/07/2021
US Coins
Ends on 02/09/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 02/10/2021
Decorative Art
Ends on 02/11/2021
Currency
Ends on 02/11/2021
US Coins
Ends on 02/15/2021
US Coins
Ends on 02/22/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 01/27/2021
US Coins
Opens about 01/29/2021
Currency
Opens about 01/25/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 02/03/2021
Photography
Opens about 02/03/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 02/05/2021
Historical
Opens about 02/08/2021
Sports Collectibles
Opens about 02/05/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Opens about 01/31/2021
Currency
Opens about 02/01/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 02/10/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 02/11/2021
Jewelry & Timepieces
Opens about 02/19/2021
US Coins
Opens about 02/08/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 02/18/2021
Decorative Art
Opens about 02/18/2021
Western & Texas Art
Opens about 02/19/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Opens about 02/19/2021
US Coins
Opens about 02/12/2021
Decorative Art
Opens about 02/23/2021
US Coins
Opens about 02/26/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 02/24/2021
Nature & Science
Opens about 02/26/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Opens about 02/21/2021
US Coins
Opens about 02/15/2021
Luxury Real Estate
Opens about 01/22/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 03/03/2021
Photography
Opens about 03/03/2021
Heritage membership
- Past Auction Values (prices, photos, full descriptions, etc.)
- Bid online
- Free Collector newsletter
- Want List with instant e-mail notifications
- Reduced auction commissions when you resell your
winnings
- Cash Advances
- More Bidders
- Trusted Experts
- Over 200,000 Satisfied Consignors Since 1976
Learn about consigning with us
You have done a terrific job! I am so pleased. Thank you for your professionalism, it's been a complete pleasure dealing with you.View More Testimonials
HA.com receives more traffic than any other auction house website. (Source: Similarweb.com)