Nécessaire de voyage par Jean-Baptiste Aucoc, Paris, vers 1840

gravé des armoiries des Princes Naryshkine, comprenant: un miroir  à monture en argent sur une âme en acajou et les éléments suivants, en argent: une aiguière à anse détachable, une urne à eau chaude et son réchaud, une timbale, une boîte cylindrique et une circulaire avec couvercles ; en verre avec couvercles en argent: deux paires de bouteilles rectangulaires et bouchons de différentes tailles, trois boîtes circulaires, cinq boîtes rectangulaires, une paire d'encriers ; et dans d'autre matériaux: une paire de brosses à cheveux et vêtements en ivoire, huit outils en acier ou ivoire à montures en acier, et un porte-document en ivoire ; dans un coffre en palissandre plaquée d'ébène à montures en cuivre, doublée de cuir et velours, sur une base en chêne

engraved with the arms of the Princes Naryshkine comprising: a silver mounted and mahogany backed toilet mirror;  in silver, an ewer with detachable handle, a water heater, handle, burner and stand, a beaker, a circular and a cylindrical box with covers; in glass with silver covers, two pairs of rectangular bottles and stoppers in sizes, three circular boxes, five rectangular boxes, a pair of inkwells; in other materials, a pair of ivory hairbrushes and a clothes brush, eight steel or ivory-mounted steel implements and a silk document case,  in a brass-mounted ebony veneered, leather and velvet-lined rosewood case with oak base,  signed Aucoc Ainé à Paris, base stamped 5427

Split in wood cover which has been well repaired, small piece of brass inlay missing from front of box, and hinge mount a bit dented, no apparent key, most of the pieces in the box are armorial engraved, marks generally good and easy to read, a few minor dents but general condition of the pieces is very good, some pieces look as if they hav'nt been used, decoration is crisp as are armorials. Hined part of easel mount for mirror needs fixing. There may have been a minor alteration to the inside of the cover of case as one small section of wook looks as if its painted to immitate rosewood rather than actually being rosewood, a few minor screws missing to the mirror mount. Overall condition is good
"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."

La famille des Naryshkine est une illustre famille russe, alliée à la maison régnante après le mariage du tsar Alexis Ier avec la princesse Nathalie Narychkine(1651-1694) en 1671, mère de Pierre le Grand, partageant également son amour pour la France. Alexis  Lvovitch (1760-1826), grand chambellan, chancelier et grand marechal de la noblesse, était également l’ami de Paul Ier qui l’appelait son oncle. Chargé de la direction des théâtres, il attira à St Petersbourg les premiers artistes d’Europe, surtout les artistes français, et mourut à Paris. Quant à Alexis Vassilievitch  (1742-1800), chambellan, offrit l’hopistalité à Denis Diderot lors de son séjour à St Petersbourg. Enfin, Marie (1779-1854), née princesse Sviatopolsk-Tchetvertinsky, épouse Dimitri Narychkine, gouverneur de Crimée à seize ans. D’une grande beauté naturelle, et surnommée l’Aspasie du Nord, elle fut pendant quinze ans  la maîtresse du Tsar Alexandre Ier et donne le jour à trois filles et un fils. Elle habitait à Paris dans les années 1840 et y tenait un salon réputé être l’un des favoris du Tout-Paris.

 

The patrician and Francophile Naryshkines were related to the Russian royal family through several  generations.  Nathalie Naryshkine (1651-1694), wife of Tsar Alexis (1671) was mother of Peter the Great. Alexis Lvovitch Naryshkine (1760-1826) Lord Great Chamberlain, Chancellor and Marechal de la Noblesse, an intimate friend of Tsar Paul I who he called `uncle’, was appointed director of the Russian theatre.  He initiated European artists on the Russian stage, particularly those from France.  Alexis Vassilievitch (1742-1800), sponsored Denis Diderot the French Encyclopaedist and philosopher of the Enlightenment when he came to St Petersburg  in 1773; and Marie (1779-1854) née Sviatopolsk-Tchetvertinsky was wife of Dmitri Naryshkine, governor of the Crimea, and became the long standing mistress of Tsar Alexander I with whom she had four children. She lived in Paris during the 1840’s and was a leading figure in Paris Society