Russian Works of Art, Fabergé & Icons

A portrait miniature of Count Hermann Carl Graf von Keyserling, probably German, circa 1750-1760

Restricted Species

Auction Closed

June 4, 04:28 PM GMT

Estimate

10,000 - 15,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

A portrait miniature of Count Hermann Carl Graf von Keyserling, probably German, circa 1750-1760

painted on ivory, set in a 19th century gilt metal frame, based on the painting by Michael Christoph Hagelgans in the Kunstkammer, St Petersburg

width 8.5cm, 3⅜in.

This lot contains ivory. Due to recent changes in the laws of many countries (e.g. US, France) Sotheby's recommends that buyers check with their own government regarding any importation requirements prior to placing a bid. For example, US regulations restrict the import of elephant ivory and prohibit the import of African elephant ivory. Please note that Sotheby's will not assist buyers with CITES licence applications where a buyer elects to either collect or arrange their own shipping, nor will Sotheby's assist with the international movement of ivory by air, either as freight or through hand carry. Sotheby's shipping will only assist in shipping the lot to either domestic UK or EU destinations, where delivery is made by road transport. A buyer's inability to export or import these lots cannot justify a delay in payment or sale cancellation.

Count Hermann Karl von Keyserling (1697–1764) was one of the rare foreigners at the Russian court whose loyalty to the Russian Empire was not limited by the political and diplomatic service. Born in the Duchy of Courland, Keyserling was invited to St Petersburg by Empress Anna Ioannovna after she ascended the throne. He had a significant cultural impact, holding the position of president of the Saint Petersburg Academy of Sciences and Arts. It was during his presidency that Vasily Trediakovsky joined this noble institution and was entrusted with the task of "cleaning the Russian language by writing poetry and prose." The miniature is made after The Portrait of Hermann Karl von Keyserling (1697–1764) by the German painter Michael Christoph Emanuel Hagelgans, a court painter of the Holy Roman Empress Maria Theresa from 1761.