MILLON launches its Russian Art departement

On the upcoming 30 May, MILLON will launch a new department dedicated to Russian Art. For this first sale, experts Maxime CHARRON and Gérard GOROKHOFF will feature four centuries of Russian artistic production by offering 450 lots, including icons from the 17th century, contemporary artists, silver and books from the 18th century. The key piece of the auction is undoubtedly an exceptional and rare decoration of the Order of the White Eagle (Russia) which embodies one of the most prestigious honors intended to distinguish foreigners and attributed upon the Emperor’s own decision. Made of gold, silver-gold, diamonds and rubies, this insignia of the Order comes with its silver-gold, diamonds and enameled plaque. These two 1913 jewels, which belonged to French General Albert d’AMADE (1856-1941), are estimated €600,000-800 000.

"We are, Gérard Gorokhoff and I, particularly enthusiastic about this first Russian Art sale with an auction house like Millon! We are proud to have gathered 450 lots for this auction which promises a great future to this new department." Maxime CHARRON - Expert from the Russian Art department

THE ORDER OF THE WHITE EAGLE
 

Created in 1325 by Wladislas Ist King of Poland, « the Short », the White Eagle was maintained in 1815 by Alexander Ist.  On 17 November 1831, it was incorporated into the Russian order system through a unique category with plaque and insignia. The motto «pro Fide, Rege et Lege» (for Faith, the Tsar and the Law) was kept. From then, the Polish White Eagle standing on a red cross is surrounded by the Imperial Russian Eagle. Under the reign of Alexander II (1862-1881), the decoration took its definitive shape. In 1845, Nicolas Ist decided that when attributed to a non-Christian, the Russian eagle could replace the cross on the Order’s plaques. A « superior » category was created in 1882, intended to distinguish foreigners and attributed upon the Emperor’s decision. The plaque and insignia were then covered of diamonds. Until 1904, only the non-Christians, Turkish, Persian, Chinese…received them.  




THE DECORATIONS OF GENERAL ALBERT D’AMADE 

The White Eagle with diamonds granted to the General Albert d’Amade (1856-1941) in 1913 was given twenty-two times in seven occasions to Occidental Christians.On 13 August 1913, General d’Amade, who was then part of a military mission in Russia was the last to receive this important honor from Emperor Nicolas II. The fall of the Empire interrupted the attribution of this decoration. Consisting of an insignia and its plaque, this golden, silver-gilt, diamonds, rubies and enamel decoration (estimate: €600,000-800,000) was executed by Carl BLANK, jeweler from Saint Petersburg and chief goldsmith of house Hahn which also worked for Fabergé and took orders from the Imperial cabinet.

Public Auction - Drouot - Room 1
Wednesday 30 May - 2pm

Public exhibition - Drouot - Room 1
Tuesday 29 May -  11am / 6pm 
Wednesday 30 May - 11am / 12pm