381 - A RUSSIAN PAPIER-MACHE PRESENTATION BOX WITH A MEDAL OF CATHERINE THE GREAT, 1768

A RUSSIAN PAPIER-MACHE PRESENTATION BOX WITH A MEDAL OF CATHERINE THE GREAT, 1768 Circular silver medal depicting a right-facing bust of Empress Catherine II with flowing mantle and imperial insignia, the surrounding Cyrillic legend reading "Б.М. ЕКАТЕРИНА II ИМПЕРАТ. И САМОДЕРЖ. ВСЕРОСС." The obverse truncation bears a faint engraver’s signature. The reverse is engraved with a church facade beneath the inscription "ВОЗДАНИЕ БОЖИЕ БОГОВИ" and the biblical reference "АКЕСАРЕВА КЕСАРЕВИ МАТВ. ГЛАВ. 22. СТИХ. 21." dated 1768, referring to Matthew 22:21 "Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s," associated with the ecclesiastical policies of Catherine’s reign. The medal is set within a gilt-metal laurel wreath mount and fitted into a circular black lacquered papier-mache presentation box with glazed aperture cover. Dimensions: D: 3 3/4 in., (9.5 cm.) Condition: The medal has even gray patina, scattered surface marks, and localized darkening to the reverse. Box with surface wear, scratches, and minor losses consistent with age. Please make all inquiries before bidding. All statements contained in the catalog, condition reports, invoices, advertisements, or elsewhere concerning the authorship, attribution, origin, date, age, period, culture, source, provenance, authenticity, genuineness, condition, rarity, importance, or value of any lot are statements of opinion only and shall not be construed as representations, warranties, or statements of fact. All lots are sold "as-is", refer to our T&C. Helios Auctions does not offer in-house shipping. We will provide a list of recommended shippers upon request.