MARKED 'IKARTEL', POSSIBLY FOR THE FIRST KIEV ARTEL, KIEV, 1908-1917

Details

A SILVER-MOUNTED CUT-GLASS AND HARDSTONE INKWELL
MARKED 'IKARTEL', POSSIBLY FOR THE FIRST KIEV ARTEL, KIEV, 1908-1917
The square green marble stand centring a detachable cut-glass inkwell, the hinged cover cast and chased as a seated figure of Dante studying a scroll, the marble stand applied with a plaque inscribed in Russian 'To our dear comrade-in-arms Aleksei Efimovich Vandam in fond memory of joint combat service 1915-1915' with further signatures and signed 'Galicia 32.', marked on inkwell base
9¾ in. (23.7 cm.) wide

Provenance

Anonymous sale, Sotheby's, New York, 9 June 1997, lot 243.
Acquired at the above sale by the present owner.

Special Notice

VAT rate of 20% is payable on hammer price and buyer's premium

Brought to you by

Anna Belousova

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Lot Essay

Alexei Efimovich Vandam (Alexei Efimovich Edrikhin, 1867-1933) was a Major General (1917), a military writer, and the author of a number of geopolitical works. He graduated from the General Staff Academy in 1899 and served in the 117 Infantry Regiment and the Guard Grenadier Regiment. He was awarded the St George sword in April 1915 for his services as an Adjutant-General.
During World War I his reconnaissance in the town of Rudnik nad Sanem (formerly Rudnik, part of Galicia), provided information that helped Russian troops secure an advantageous position on the river San. In August of the same year, Alexei Efimovich was promoted to Commander of the 92nd Pechora Infantry Regiment.
He was also awarded the Order of St George 4th Class in 1916.

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