PROBABLY MOSCOW, CIRCA 1700

Details

A SILVER IMPERIAL PRESENTATION KOVSH
PROBABLY MOSCOW, CIRCA 1700
Of traditional form with raised prow and handle, the bowl repoussé with a circular reserve centring an Imperial double-headed eagle with the orb and sceptre, the interior sides and handle cast with scrolling foliage, the exterior sides engraved with Old Russian dedication inscription ‘Great Lord Tsar and Great Prince Petr Alekseevich, Autocrat of all Great, Little and White Russia, presented this kovsh to ataman of the Winter Stanitsa Lukian Maksimov on 24 May 1700’, the front engraved with the portrait of Peter the Great, the finial cast and chased with an Imperial double-headed eagle, apparently unmarked, stamped with numeral ‘998’ under the handle
10 5/8 in. (27 cm.) wide
11.80 oz. (368.8 gr.)

Provenance

Acquired by the grandfather of the present owner.

Brought to you by

Alexis de Tiesenhausen

atiesenhausen@christies.com + 44 20 7389 2605

Lot Essay

Lukian Maksimov was the ataman of the Don Cossack voisko between 1697-1708. It was the period of rising tensions between Peter the Great and the autonomous Don Cossacks who insisted on self-governing. When the Bulavin Rebellion broke out in 1707, Maksimov led the pro-imperial party of the Don Cossacks. At first, Maksimov defeated Kondraty Bulavin, but was captured and executed in Cherkassk in 1708.

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