147

AN ORIGINAL SOUVENIR MENU of the Coronation Banquet of the Emperor Nicholas II Alexandrovish & his consort Alexandra Feodorovna. Color lithograph on paper, signed and dtd in the plate. 13"x36.5". Illustrated on back cover: Central to the coronation ceremony the Emperor crowned himself as the elect of God, & was anointed to prepare himself for his ministry as Tsar of all the Russia's & protector of Orthodox Christians everywhere. To Emphasize the sanctity of the event the 17th century was evoked, an idealized time before  secularization eroded a consensus of what is sacred. Vasnetsov was foremost amongst the artists rediscovering the old Russian traditions and he was accorded a central place among the artists commissioned to celebrate the coronation. The banquet held in the Granitovaya Palata in the Kremlin, finish at 3:55pm, the menu capturing the public imagination more then any other souvenir of the coronation was widely sought after & treasured by those fortunate enough to have received one. It occupied a central position in Vasnetsov's oeuvre, & in the contemporary Slavophile movement for the rediscovery of ancient Russian forms. It is reproduced in the 2 volume Coronation Album, both as a detail & also as a whole plate. See also the catalogue "The Twilight of the Tsars," South Bank Centre, March 1991, p. 172, No. 448 & E. Kirichenko "Russian Design & the Fine Arts" London, 1991, p. 152, pl, 138.

Estimate $1750-$2500

148

A VERY FINE IMPERIAL RUSSIAN PERIOD SAMOVAR. Of traditional cylindrical form, the front exhibiting numerous award stamps and maker's mark in Cyrillic "M. Sluzberg" Tula. Resting on four feet with rented base. Complete with under tray and drip bowl. Height 19 inches.

Estimate $500-$800

149

A FINE IMPERIAL PERIOD RUSSIAN SAMOVAR. The square base supporting an urn-form reservoir with ornate handles. Maker's mark of Batashev, Tula. Complete. Height 15 inches.

Estimate $400-$600