The Auction House of the Russian Federation is announcing a pre-auction exhibition in Moscow. The exhibition will be held at the exhibition hall of the Moscow branch of AHR at Gostiny Dvor from 18 to 26 November 2011. Over 200 works will be displayed at the exhibition, which will be put up for auction in November 2011.

Nikolai Rerikh, “By the Boundary”, 1915
Estimate: $240 000 — 260 000

The Auction House of the Russian Federation is announcing a pre-auction exhibition in Moscow. The exhibition will be held at the exhibition hall of the Moscow branch of AHR at Gostiny Dvor from 18 to 26 November 2011. Over 200 works will be displayed at the exhibition, which will be put up for auction in November 2011.
The upcoming auction of artworks and antiques will be the third of its kind and will be held in Moscow on 26 November 2011. Unique works by Western European and Russian artists of the late 19th – 20th centuries, and also items of decorative and applied art, and jewelry. The last two auctions organized by the auction house were held in St. Petersburg. This step shows the intentions of the AHR to concentrate auctions involving works of art in the capital. Commenting on the upcoming events, Andrei Stepanenko, the general director of the Auction House of the Russian Federation, said: “This time, we decided to hold the auction in the capital. We recognize the responsibility of this decision and the level of competition that we will face, and nevertheless we realize that most of the antique market is concentrated in Moscow, and without access to this market, we will not be able to become a full auction platform for the sale of artworks. Additionally, all our work is concentrated in Moscow for improving Russian legislation in the sphere of circulation of cultural valuables, and this work is one of the priorities for our Moscow office”.

he unique top lot of the auction is the painting by Nikolai Rerikh (1874 – 1947) “By the Boundary” (1915). On the back of the painting, there is a pencil inscription (perhaps by the painter) which reads “Gone to the boundary”. However, in all the sources from 1916 and to the present day, the work is known as “By the Boundary”. The painting was first published in the album “Nikolai Konstantin Rerikh”, by the Svobodnoe Iskusstvo publishing house in 1916. According to the album, at the moment of publication, the painting was held in the private collection of E.I. Rerikh, the artist’s wife. From 1916 to the present day, the painting was held in a private collection in St. Petersburg, and was not exhibited or published. Estimate: $240 000 — 260 000.

One of the most expensive lots at the auction is the painting by Iosif Krachkovsky (1854 – 1914) “Azaleas” (1902). Iosif Krachkovsky was a famous representative of the Russian landscape school of the second half of the 19th century, whose work organically combined academic traditions and realistic features. A graduate of the Imperial Academy of Arts, and a pupil of Baron M.P. Clodt, in 1885, he received the title of academic. The artist was hugely commercially successful during his lifetime, in many ways thanks to the demand for his works among members of the nobility. In 1902, Krachkovsky’s first personal exhibition was held, “distinguished by the attendance of Their Imperial Highnesses and High-Ranking and August Persons”. Nicholas II purchased several works by the artist at this exhibition, which subsequently entered the collection of the Museum of Alexander III (now the State Russian Museum). The painting “Azaleas” was published in the “Monthly illustrated collection published by the Imperial Society for the Encouragement of the Arts” in 1902. The majority of works in this collection were displayed at a personal collection of Krachkovsky in the same year. Estimate: $750 000-800 000.

Another top lot at the auction is the rare “land” landscape by I.I. Aivazovsky (1817 – 1900), “Evening in Ukraine” (1886). Works by Aivazovsky that are not linked with the subject of the sea appear on the market very rarely. He is mainly known as a master of sea landscapes, where he has no equals.
In the 1860s, Aivazovsky was often criticized for only being able to paint the sea. In an attempt to show that his gift was universal, he turned to “land landscapes”. In this period, he painted such works as “Windmills in the Ukrainian steppe at sunset”, “View of St. Isaac’s Cathedral in Winter” and “Pyramids at Giza”.
In all these “land” works, viewers may discover features that are characteristic for Aivazovsky’s sea landscapes: delicate arrangement of perspective, romantic passion, exquisiteness and transparency of the palette. Estimate: $840 000 – 1 100 000.

Of undoubted interest is the painting by Dmitry Grigorevich Levitsky (1735 – 1822), “Portrait of A. A. Prozorovsky” (1779). Levitsky, an outstanding master of ceremonial and chamber portraits of the era of Catherine the Great, was extremely popular during his lifetime. The artist is often called “the singer of the age of Catherine” – he made an entire gallery of the renowned people of his time. In total, Levitsky painted around 100 portraits during his lifetime. The appearance of this work on the art market will be a real event. From 1989 until the present, just eight works by the artist have been sold at auctions around the world. Levitsky’s works are held in major museum collections such as the State Tretyakov Gallery, the State Russian Museum, the Kiev Museum of Russian art and others.
The portrait of A.A. Prozorovsky was painted in 1779. Alexander Alexandrovich Prozorovsky (1732-1809) was an outstanding state figure, commander, senator and Field Marshal General. In this portrait, Prozorovsky is shown in a general’s uniform with the order of St. George of the second degree, which he was awarded on 26 November 1778 for the pacification of the Crimea, and the order of St. Andrew, which he received in 1790. According to the practice of the times, changes were made to the portrait when he received the latter order.
We know that the portrait was held in the collection of the Golitsyn-Prozorovsky princes. However, the subsequent fate of the painting is not certain. In 2009, it was sold at a Sotheby’s auction. According to the provenance given by Sotheby’s, the painting was acquired in 1922 by L.G. Birchansky, and from the 1930s was held in the family of I.A. Melikov. Estimate: $630 000-730 000.

Another top-lot of the auction is the painting by Konstantin Yegorovich Makovsky (1839–1915) “The Boyar’s Daughter”. Last quarter of the 19th century. Konstantin Makovsky is a renowned Russian artist, author of genre works, large-scale historical genre scenes and society portraits. A special genre also stands out in Makovsky’s work: portraits of boyars’ daughters. With black eyebrows, long eyelashes, melancholy or provocative, in hats of various forms, with ribbons, earrings and necklaces, they made up a whole gallery of Russian beauties. The work displayed is a magnificent example of this portrait genre.
Provenance: Sotheby's, London, November 2008. Estimate: $395 000–460 000.

The auction also features a painting by Viktor Gavrilovich Tikhov (1876 – 1939), “Women Bathing” (1923). Tikhov graduated from the Imperial Academy of Arts (1904 – 1912). In 1912, he received the title of artist for the painting “Women Bathing”. The artist continued to work on this subject, creating an entire series, of which the present painting is one. In the period when it was painted, the artist’s mastery had already reached its peak. The work is distinguished by the impressionist manner and the high level of execution. Works by the artist at held at the State Russian Museum, the Russian Academy of Arts and in private collections. Estimate: $540 000- 560 000.

Worthy of separate mention is the unique collection of Grigory Mikhailovich Levitin, which includes 42 works of art and graphic works by outstanding artists of the 20th century. Grigory Mikhailovich Levitin (1914-1982) – was a renowned Leningrad collector, and a legendary figure. A military surgeon, he became a brilliant expert and researcher of Russian theater and decorative art.
His collection began to form before the war, when Levitin made friends with the renowned theater figure, translator, archivist and collector Movshenzon, and subsequently purchased a series of first-class works from the early 20th century from him. After the war, he continued to add to his collection. In his will, he bequeathed 130 paintings and over 2000 graphic works to the Russian Museum. Levitin’s collection is one of the largest private collections at the Russian Museum. The works on sale from his collection were put up for auction by his descendents.

Collection
The auction will feature theatrical sketches by Boris Kustodiev, Konstantin Korovin, Mstislav Dobuzhinsky and Tatyana Bruni. There are also drawings by Konstantin Somov, Valentin Serov, Vasily Surikov, Nikolai Rerikh, Mikhail Larionov, Olga Gildebrandt – Arbeinina, Vasily Chekrygin, Alexander Tyshler, Dmitry Mitrokhin and others.

One of the most valuable lots of the collection is the drawing by Nikolai Rerikh (1874 – 1947) “Burial mounds by the village of Lyubitovo” (1899).
In his student years, Rerikh became a member of the Russian archeological society., Until 1905, he went on archeological expeditions and digs every year, during which he made many drawings and sketches. In the summer of 1899, Rerikh made a journey through the Novgorod and Pskov provinces, in which several burial mounds were uncovered, including in the village of Lyubitovo. The drawing on display was made during this journey, and depicts a burial mound that was discovered by Rerikh.
Estimate: $12,000 – 14,000.

 
Another lot in the collection is the sketch of stage decorations by Boris Kustodiev (1878 – 1927) for Ostrovsky’s play “The Storm” (1918).
Kustodiev first began working in the theater in 1911. In 1918, he made sketches of stage decorations for the production of Ostrovsky’s play “The Storm”, which was to be premiered at the Moscow art theater. The decorations and sketches give an excellent impression of the merchants’ life that the artist knew well, and often reproduces in paintings. Estimate: $16,000-18,000.

Other lots from the collection of G.M. Levitin

Mikhail Larionov (1881 – 1964)
Drawing “landscape”, early 20th century
Estimate: $5000-7000

Mstislav Dobuhzhinsky (1875 – 1957)
Illustrations to Schiller’s drama “The Robbers”.
1923.
Estimate: $5000-7000

Konstantin Somov (1869 – 1939)
Drawing “At the beach”, early 20th century
Estimate: $10 000-12 000

Works of decorative and applied art and jewelry
Perhaps one of the favorite lots at the auction is the Gift of Their Imperial Highnesses to the first Olympic champion in the history of Russia, N.A. Panin-Kolomenkin.
The gift in the form of a triumphal column made of silver and crowned with a skate made of gold, with the modest inscription “FROM THEIR HIGHNESSES TO N.A. PANIN-KOLOMENKIN” was manufactured at the Moscow factory of Matryona Andreeva.
Nikolai Alexandrovich Kolomenkin (1872- 1956), who competed in international competitions under the name of Nicholas Panin, was the greatest Russian figure-skater of the early 20th century. He was the Russian champion on five occasions – in 1901, 1902, 1903, 1905 and 1907. In October 1908, Nicholas Panin represented Russia at the 4th Summer Olympic Games in London, in which, by the decision of the Olympic congress of 1908, the organizers included a winter sport for the first time – figure-skating. Panin became the first Olympic champion in the history of Russian sport when he won this competition.
Panin received this gift for his services to the nation from Their Imperial Highnesses Nicholas II and Alexandra Fyodorovna. The object is of enormous collection and historical value, as both unique souvenir of the Olympic movement in Russia, and a personal gift from the imperial family. Estimate: $7000-8000.

A unique lot at the auction is the Harp jewelry set of two items – earrings and necklace. Gold, platinum, diamonds, diamond roses. Moscow, late 19th century. Faberge firm. Craftsman Oscar Pil. Hallmark: Moscow district assaying department – “56”, “George the Victorious”; hallmark of craftsman “OP”, Total weight 19.51 grams.
The craftsman Oskar Pil (1860-1897) was one of the leading craftsmen of the Faberge firm. He started out as a pupil at the workshop of A. Holstrem, and in 1887 became a craftsman. From 1887-1897, he was the head craftsman at the Moscow department of the Faberge firm.
This item is unique in its level of execution and artistic merits. Items with this design were manufactured by the Faberge firm exclusively by special orders. Evidently, the set was ordered as a present for a lady who was involved in music or the theater – an opera singer or ballerina.
The item is also especially valuable because complete antique jewelry sets that have been preserved in their entirety are rarely encountered on the market – the sets have usually been separated, or part of the set is lost.

Estimate: $25 000– 27 000.

Of no less interest are the earrings with large diamonds of more than 4 carats each. Platinum, golden, one diamond of 4.6 carats, one of 4.8 carats. Russia, early 20th century.
The earrings belonged to Anastasia Mikhailovna Pavlova (nee Usova). In 1911, Anastasia married the nobleman Ivan Nikolaevich Pavlov, who gave her these earrings as a wedding present. The earrings were handed down in the family and have been put up for auction by descendents of the Pavlovs. Estimate: $120,00 – 150,000.

Another items of jewelry

Broach. Gold, silver, sapphires, diamonds. Late 19th century. Faberge firm.
Estimate: $6000-7000

Broach in the form of an oak branch. Gold, silver, diamonds, pearl. Late 19th century. Faberge firm. Craftsman August Holmstrem.
Gift from the cabinet of His Imperial Highness given during the Tsar’s visit to Belovezh in 1897.
Estimate: 10 000 – 13000 $

Broach with amethyst and diamonds. 1899-1908
Faberge firm. Craftsman August Holming.
A gift from the cabinet of His Imperial Highness. Taken on a voyage to Denmark and Norway by Empress Maria Fyodorovna in 1908.
Estimate: $13 000 -15000

Broach with two-headed eagle. Gold, enamel, diamond rose. 1899 -1904.
Craftsman Mikhail Perkhin,
Faberge firm
Estimate: $19 000 -21 000

These broaches were used by the Cabinet as gifts for officials. In the archive documents of the Cabinet of His Imperial Highness, at least 23 broaches of this model are recorded under the same inventory number – 1421.

More detailed information about the lots can be found on the site of the Auction House of the Russian Federation
 

***Notes:
Since its creation in August 2009, the Auction House of the Russian Federation has held two public antique auctions – in December 2010 and June 2011.
122 lots of a total sum of around 100 million rubles were sold at the auctions: They included:
- 43 paintings
- 22 icons (mid 19th – early 20th century)
- 56 items of decorative and applied art (including 16 items of jewelry)
The pre-auction exhibitions took place in St. Petersburg, in the Mikhailovsky and Engineers’ castles of the State Russian Museum.