Collections : [Virginia Museum of Fine Arts]

Transcription: [double-headed eagle] The Schaffer Collection of Russian Imperial Art Treasures Rockefeller Center, New York July 28, 1934 #462 A most unusual enamel miniature icon (panagia), portraying "Madonna and Child". It is mounted in a very beautiful gold and silver frame surmounted by crown and studded with turquoises and pearls of very good quality. From the private collection of the Grand Duchess Tatiana, the second daughter of Nicholas II, the late Czar of Russia. From the Alexander Palace at Tsarskoye Selo.

Transcription: [double-headed eagle] The Schaffer Collection of Russian Imperial Art Treasures July 28, 1934 #463 A most unusual enamel miniature icon (panagia), portraying the "Madonna and Child". It is set in a very fine gold and silver frame inlaid with vari-colored enamel in very fine filigree work. Surmounted by crown and studded with pearls and garnets of very good quality. From the private collection of the Grand Duchess Olga, the eldest daughter of Nicholas II, the late Czar of Russia. From the Alexander Palace at Tsarskoye Selo.

Transcription: [double-headed eagle] RUSSIAN IMPERIAL EXHIBIT January 4th, 1934. Article No. 4763 A silver plaque depicting the Church of Christ the Saviour, which was given to the Dowager Empress Marie Feodorovna on the occasion of the erection of this church. It was to commemorate the miraculous escape of the Royal Family from death in a railroad wreck. The church was erected by the contributions of various workers in the government departments and private citizens of Russia in the year 1888. The plaque is from the Anitchov Palace.

Transcription: [double-headed eagle] RUSSIAN IMPERIAL EXHIBIT January 4th, 1934. Article No. 4765 A slender gold column of exquisite workmanship, with a miniature of Nicholai II on it set with diamonds and crystals. The column is delicately chased with Icanthus leaves in green gold, a touch characteristic of Faberge who made the bibelot for the Czarina to present to Nicholai II on his birthday in 1907. It is contained in the original case and was found in the Alexander Palace.

Transcription: [double-headed eagle] The Schaffer Collection of Russian Imperial Art Treasures Rockefeller Center, New York June 4, 1934 #5. Gold and silver vodka cup with dates "1894-1904" inlaid in blue enamel and surmounted by gold crown which is studded with diamonds. From the personal belongings of Czar Nicholas II, the late Czar of Russia, to whom it was presented by his wife, Czarina Alexandra Feodorovna, on the tenth anniversary of his reign. It is signed by the well-known master "Fabergé", court jeweler to the Czar of Russia. From the Alexandrovsky Palace at Tsarskoye Selo.

Transcription: [double-headed eagle] RUSSIAN IMPERIAL EXHIBIT March 26th, 1934. Article No. 5421 An icon of "St. Nicholas the Wonder Worker", patron saint of Russia, with Christ and the Madonna. This icon was presented to Nicholai II when he was still a Czarevitch, by a peasant icon painter whose name appears on the border of the icon. The inscription on the back reads: "From a peasant of the village of Materi, Province of Vladimir---Joseph Andrew Pankreshoff. Presented to His Imperial Highness, Czarevitch and Grand Duke Nicholai Alexandrovitch." Taken from the historic apartment of the Anitchkov Palace, with the inventory number #6794 The fascinating history of icons can be traced back to the time of the pyramids in Egypt, but the oldest examples today are to be found in the Russian churches. The primary influence was that of the Byzantine which accounts for their resemblance to the Italian Primitive with which we are more familiar. The spiritual feeling in these works of art is the expression of the monks who painted them after long and fervent prayer.

Transcription: [double-headed eagle] RUSSIAN IMPERIAL EXHIBIT January 4th, 1934. Article No. 5528

Transcription: [double-headed eagle] RUSSIAN IMPERIAL EXHIBIT March 26th, 1934. Article No. 5538 An icon painted on wood on a background of gold with a border of rich enamel in Byzantine design. It has a brass trapping and is enclosed in original wood and velvet-lined case. "St. Nicholas the Wonder Worker". A painting of exquisite detail and coloring. It was presented to Nicholai II when he was still the Tsarevitch. The sticker on the back of the box reads: "To the Grand Duke Nicholai Alexandrovitch, 19th of July, 1882." It has the city museum inventory number, Anitchkov Palace, 6819. From the quarters of Nicholai II in the Anitchkov Palace before he became the Tsar of Russia. The fascinating history of icons dates back to the time of the pyramids in Egypt, but the oldest examples today are to be found in the Russian churches. The primary influence was that of the Byzantine which accounts for their resemblance to the Italina (sic) Primitive, with which we are more familiar. The spiritual feeling in these works of art is the expression of the monks who painted them after long and fervent prayer.

Transcription: [double-headed eagle] The Schaffer Collection of Russian Imperial Art Treasures Rockefeller Center, New York September 28, 1934 #558 A most exceptionally fine silver bunny made from life by the well-known Russian jeweler, "Carl Fabergé", who was often referred to as the Cellini of the 19th century. It is made up of two sections; the head opens on a hinge, and the hollow inside was probably used for bonbons. The eyes of are Ural rubies. It is a very good example of this type of work that was made by this master craftsman. The life-like effect and charm, as well as the characteristically fine detail, will win one over readily to the many admirers that he already has all over the world, in both royal houses and humble alike. The bunny bears on the bottom a most exceptionally clear hallmark and signature "K. Fabergé," surmounted by Russian Imperial eagle, the date "1894", and the St. Petersburg hallmark. From the Alexandrovsky Palace at Tsarskoye Selo.

Transcription: [double-headed eagle] The Schaffer Collection of Russian Imperial Art Treasures Rockefeller Center, New York January 1, 1934 #572. Exceptionally fine "Fabergé" handle, made of an unusually formed beautiful green jade, enclosed in two gold gilt bands which are chased in a simple design. The top of the handle is studded with sixty-five various sized blue sapphires in a triangular setting. Set on a stick of very fine tortoise shell. Originally in the collection of Czarina Alexandra Feodorovna, wife of Nicholas II, the late Czar of Russia.