Neo-Gothic table set by Alexander and Varvara Kelkhov - presentable silver set made by Faberge (company) in 1900 by order of Alexander and Varvara Kelkhov. The Kelchoff service is the most expensive Faberge silver masterpiece ever made by the Faberge workshop (firm) . Karl Faberge himself considered him the most important work performed in his workshop [1] .
In 1918 , during the revolution , the Kelchoff service was melted [2] . In 2017 , it turned out that some elements of the service however survived. They were found in Poland [1] .
Content
History
The idea to make a presentable service in the Neo - Gothic style (“New Gothic”) arose around 1898 and is associated with the construction of the Kelkhov mansion in St. Petersburg ( Tchaikovsky Street (St. Petersburg) ) and the design of the neo-Gothic dining room located in it. Varvara Kelch wanted her set to match the design of the dining room with her style and decoration [1] [2] .
The famous Russian architect Fedor Shekhtel was entrusted with the implementation of service projects. The projects were completed in 1900 in Moscow . In the same year, a service was performed at the Faberge Moscow workshop. Alexander Kelkh paid a huge sum of 125 thousand rubles for him [2] . Thus, the Kelchoff service became the most expensive silver work performed by Faberge .
In 1902 , the Kelchoff service was presented at the famous exhibition of Faberge works organized in the mansion of Baron Paul von Derviz in St. Petersburg . This was the only official exhibition of Faberge's works organized during his activity. The exhibition featured Faberge works belonging to the Empresses Maria Fedorovna and Alexandra Fedorovna , as well as members of the Romanov family and representatives of the aristocracy [3] . The Kelchoff service was the only work Faberge performed, which belonged not to aristocrats, but to members of the merchant family.
By 1905 , the Kelkhov service was located in the Kelkhov mansion in St. Petersburg. In the same year, in connection with the separation of the spouses - Alexander and Barbara - the service was transported to the Bazanovs' palace in Moscow . During the revolution in 1918 , the service was confiscated and melted. For 100 years, until 2017 , everyone believed that the service was completely destroyed]] [2] . In no collection of Faberge works, there are no items that are part of this service. In January 2017 , parts of a neo-Gothic service were discovered in Poland [1] . In 2018, they were put up for sale [4] .
Description
The presentable service of Alexander and Barbara Kelkhov was made in the neo - Gothic style. The service, in its style, corresponded to the design of the dining room at the Kelkhov mansion in St. Petersburg [2] . The shapes, decorations and ornaments used by Faberge and Schechtel come from English and German Gothic .
Distinctive decorative motifs of the service are stylized Gothic architecture , floral ornaments, dragons , griffins , gargoyles , lizards , snakes and other Gothic creatures, heraldic lily , shield ( Heraldic shield ) with the letter "K" and crown ( Heraldic crown ) [1] [5 ] ] .
The service consisted of many vessels and objects. The set included: Surtout de table , two menorahs, two tall tureens, tureens with lids, dishes, bowls, plates, gravy boats, trays, cutlery, salt shakers and others [5] .
The main decorating motif of the service was medieval dragons . Therefore, the Kelchoff service is sometimes called the "Faberge Dragon Service". Important decorative motifs located on objects belonging to the service are a shield decorated with a crown and the letter “K” [5] .
The service was branded with the stigma of the Faberge workshop and the stigma of the court jeweler of the House of Romanov .
Notes
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 5 Silver Faberge service ordered by Alexander and Barbara Kelch.
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 5 G. Habsburg, „Fabergé. Treasure of Imperial Russia ”, Petersburg 2004, s. 294 i 318.
- ↑ A. Szymański, „Fabergé. Historia i arcydzieła ”, Opole 2014, s. 73-74.
- ↑ Auction | Two knives by Carl Faberge from the Kelch collection (pl-PL), Russian Antiques . Date accessed August 24, 2018.
- ↑ 1 2 3 T. Fabergé, „Fabergé. A comprehensive reference book ”, Genewa 2012, s. 466-471.
Literature
- Adam Szymański. Fabergé. Historia i arcydzieła. - Opole: Metropolisart, 2014.
- Géza von Habsburg. Fabergé Treasures of Imperial Russia. - Petersburg: Link of Times Foundation, 2004.
- Tatiana Fabergé. Fabergé. A comprehensive reference book. - Genewa: Editions Slatkine, 2012.