An Imperial jewelled hardstone box by Friedrich Köchli
its body and three ridged bun feet caved from a single exceptional specimen of lapis lazuli of the richest blue, mounted with gold, pearl and diamond set flower sprigs, the hinged lid cut from the same specimen of lapis and surmounted with a pearl and diamond set floret, the lid encircled by finely set of rose diamonds, mounted in yellow gold.
St. Petersburg, circa 1885.
Provenance
Alexander III, Emperor and Autocrat of all the Russias
H.I.H The Grand Duchess Xenia of Russia, eldest daughter of Alexander
III and sister of Emperor Nicholas II.
Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna (1875-1960) escaped from Bolshevik Russia onboard the British battleship HMS Marlborough, which rescued her from Crimea on 11 the APRIL 1919. She settled in exile in England and was allowed by her cousin King George VI to live in Frogmore House, Windsor and later Wilderness House in Hampton Court Palace. The box was likely to have passed to her from her mother Empress Maria Feodorovna who was also onboard H.M.S Marlborough and carrying her personal treasures.
The lapis lazuli is an exemplary specimen, exhibiting a deep and consistent blue colour. The stone was known in Russia as Bukhara Azurite and sourced in the mountains of Northern Afghanistan.
Friedrich Köchli (1839-1909), was a Swiss born goldsmith to the Imperial Court of Russia. His business was located at Gorokhovaya Street, 17 in St. Petersburg. He exhibited in St. Petersburg in 1870 and at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1900, where he served on the jury. His work is characterised by
meticulous craftsmanship and luxurious design.
Exhibited:
Exhibition of Russian Art, in aid of the Russian Red Cross, Belgrave Square, London 1935. Room Six, number 564. Described as; ‘Lapis Lazuli Box, formerly the property of the Emperor Alexander III. Lent by her H.I.H the Grand Duchess Xenia of Russia, Windsor.’
Fabergé, A La Vieille Russie, New York, April-May 1983, number 157.
H.I.H The Grand Duchess Xenia of Russia, eldest daughter of Alexander
III and sister of Emperor Nicholas II.
Exhibition of Russian Art, in aid of the Russian Red Cross,
Belgrave Square, London 1935