A Russian Pan Slavic Pictorial En Plein and Cloisonné Enameled Silver Pill Box after Sergei Solomko's Rivals Fabergé, Attributed to Feodor Rückert, Moscow 1908-1917, with scratched inventory number 26061 0-5/8 x 1-7/8 x 1-1/2 inches (1.6 x 4.8 x 3.8 cm) 40 grams PROVENANCE: An important California private collection, John Atzbach Antiques, Bellevue, Washington, acquired from the above; Acquired from the above by the present owner. Sergei Solomko (Russian, 1867-1929) was a popular Russian painter and illustrator who found fame after his first exposure at the Russian Pavilion of the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1900. Much in demand, his historicist watercolors were widely disseminated as postcards, and through Russian magazines such as Niva. Rückert often turned to Solomko's work for inspiration and visited this work "Rivals" depicting a young swain smiling mockingly at an older Boyar walking arm in arm with his young fiancée (or wife?) more than once. Other works by Rückert with miniatures after Solomko include a box, sold Bonham's, London, November 26, 2014, lot 103; a cigarette case, sold Christie's, November 25, 2019, lot 261, and a kovsh, sold Christie's, July 21, 2020, lot 216. Another box by Rückert with near consecutive inventory no. 26058 was with Romanov Russia, Chicago, in May of 2007. Heritage Auctions is grateful to Anna and Vincent Palmade for their assistance with research on this lot. Masterpieces of Russian Enamel from an Important American Collection HID12401132022 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved