Pair of Russian Turned and Carved Ivory Urns
Arkhangelsk, late-18th century, attributed to Nikolai Vereshchagin (1770-?1814).
Height 15" (38cm).
We sold these remarkable vases at the International Show in New York in October 1997 for $90,000. Exactly ten years later, in October 2007, they were sold again at Christie's in New York for $421,000.
This very fine carved work, with pearled borders, is more often found applied to a flat surface, on small boxes and dressing glasses, and as can be seen on the bases of these urns. A closely comparable vase by Vereshchagin, lacking its cover, is in the Hermitage. It is 31cm high, the lower half of the body appears to be identical to these present vases, and it has been in the Hermitage since 1796. (1)
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Footnote
1. see Decorative Arts in the Hermitage, 1986, no. 248.
