Deux pots couverts en argent et vermeil, non poinçonnés, Russie, vers 1690

gravés de scènes de l'Ancien Testament: Les espions Josué et Caleb prospectant le pays de Canaan, la fuite de David devant la colère de Saül, la resurrection de l'homme après avoir touché les os d'Elie, Tobie enterrant les morts et aveuglé par de la fiente d'oiseau, d'après les gravures de Merian l'Ancien, gravés au-dessous No 1  et No 2, des poids, de la date 1716 et d'une inscription en cyrillique

engraved with Old Testament scenes: Joshua and Caleb spying in Caana; David's flight before the rage of Saul;  the dead man coming to life at the touch of Elija's bones; Tobit burying the dead and blinded by sparrow's dung, after Matthaus Merian the elder,  engraved underneath No 1  and No 2, with scratchweights, dated 1716 and inscribed in cyrillic

A few nicks and normal little dents, one cover with hairline split in reeding, one cover very slighlty different coloured gilding inside, light wear to engraving, the word Gagarina and date 1716 with some scratches on one, Generally good condition, lovely coloured gilding and patina
"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."

L'inscription se transcrit: knyagina Anna Petrovna Gagarina, avec les poids en ounces et  Funt 16=15; 17=3;1 F 28 Z, 1 F 24 Z. 
La princesse Anna Gagarine était la fille du baron Petr Pavlovich Shafirov (1669-1739) qui connut une carrière diplomatique couronnée de succès, dont la négociation, à titre de conseiller privé et vice-chancelier de Pierre le Grand (1682-1725), du mariage de la tsarine Ekaterina Ioannovna avec le duc Karl Ludwig de Meckelenburg-Schwerin en 1716 (date inscrite sur les pots). Anna Petrovna épousa le prince Aleksei Matveevich Gagarin, dont le père, le prince Matvei Petrovich, était gouverneur de Sibérie (1712-19). Trois des scènes, les Espions, la tombe d'Elie et Tobie aveuglé, sont gravées d'après l'oeuvre de Matthaus Merian l'Ancien (1593-1650), voir Peter Meinhold, Matthaeus Merian DIE BILDER ZUR BIBEL, Hamburg, 1965, p. 73, 139 and 181. 

The incription reads knyagina Anna Petrovna Gagarina and with scratchweights in ounces and Funt 16=15; 17=3;1 F 28 Z, 1 F 24 Z
Princess Anna Gagarina was the daughter of baron Petr Pavlovich Shafirov (1669-1739). Her father had a succesful diplomatic career. As privy councilor and vice chancellor to Tsar Peter the Great (1682-1725), he negotiated the marriage of Tsarevna Ekaterina Ioannovna to Duke Karl Ludwig of Meckelenburg-Schwerin in 1716 (year engraved on the bottom of the jars). Anna Petrovna married prince Aleksei Matveevich Gagarin, whose father prince Matvei Petrovich was governor of Siberia (1712-19) (private research)
Three of the scenes on the jars, The Spies, Elija's tomb and Tobit blinded are engraved in reverse after prints by Matthaus Merian the elder (1593-1650) see Peter Meinhold, Matthaeus Merian DIE BILDER ZUR BIBEL, Hamburg, 1965, p. 73, 139 and 181.