A parcel-gilt silver and niello commemorative egg, Sakerdon Skripitsyn, Vologda, 1836

one side nielloed with a portrait of Emperor Alexander I, after Francois Pascal Simon Baron Gerard, the reverse with an equestrian portrait of General Field Marshal His Serene Highness Prince Golenischev-Kutuzov-Smolensky taking command of the Russian troops, after a drawing by I.I. Terebenev, each within chains and stars of the Order of St Andrew 

Sheremetev family, end of the 19th century
Private Collection, France until 2005
Purchased by the present owner in France in 2006

Moscow, State Historical Museum, 1812. War and Peace. From Russian and Foreign Private Collections, 11 December 2008 - 1 March 2009 

"Statistika. Opisanie Velikogo Ustyuga"  Vologodskie Gubernskie Vedomosti, 1838, No.3
Exhibition catalogue, 1812. War and Peace. From Russian and Foreign Private Collections, Moscow, State Historical Museum, 2008, pp.252-253

There is a dent to the portrait side of the egg measuring approx. 2.5cm in diameter. Wear to the gilding and niello as expected with age.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The offered lot is one of the best examples of niello work by famous silversmith from Vologda Sakerdon Skripitsyn. In the records "of the famous since olden times Ustyug niello work" there is a list of "palace" items, which were presumably destined for the Imperial court and amongst them a large Easter egg with portraits of the Tsar Alexander I and Field Marshal Golenischev-Kutuzov executed in the workshop of Sakerdon Skripitsyn and exhibited in 1837 during the visit of tsetsarevich  ["Statistika. Opisanie Velikogo Ustyuga" // Vologodskie Gubernskie Vedomosti. 1838, No.3] .

It is reasonable to assume that the egg was presented to the Grand Duke Alexander Nikolaevich during his visit to Velikii Ustyug and later was bestowed upon one of the heroes of the 1812 campaign.

In the records listing "silverware, tableware and other objects accepted into inventory of the Vozdvizhenskii house of Count Sheremetev on the 11th May 1888" under No.11 is an neillo egg "with a portrait of the Emperor Alexander I and a mounted portrait of Prince Kutuzov with chains of the Order of St. Andrew".