A Russian Shaded Cloisonné Enameled Gilt Silver Imperial Presentation Coffee Service Pavel Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1899-1908 6-3/8 x 3-3/8 x 7 inches (16.2 x 8.6 x 17.8 cm) 1708 grams PROVENANCE: Presented by Emperor Nicholas II to Ambassador Robert Sanderson McCormick, likely March 14th, 1905; Thence by descent; Christie's New York, Fine Russian Works of Art, June 15th, 1982, lot 122; Sinclair and Raye Heather Chen, acquired from the above; Lyon & Turnbull London, The Chen Collection, Part I, November 23rd, 2008, lot 91; John Atzbach Antiques, Bellevue, Washington, acquired from the above; Acquired from the above by the present owner. This tea set has long been regarded as one of the greatest works of the House of Ovchinnikov since its first appearance at auction in 1982. It's exceptional quality and elegant chinoiserie design raise it above other works from the firm, and above those of other Russian makers. Add to that the Imperial provenance, as well as the fact that it has survived completely intact in its original form with it's original box, it is a work without equal. There is another service, near identical, but without a box in the collection of the Walters Art Gallery (Acc. No. 44.751). Thanks to the recollections of people involved with earlier sales of this work, we have been able to identify the family who may have received it from Nicholas II. Robert Sanderson McCormick served as the United States Ambassador to Imperial Russia from 1902 to 1905, appointed by President Theodore Roosevelt. He presented his credentials in St. Petersburg on January 12, 1903, and remained in the city during the 1905 Bloody Sunday protests. McCormick was recalled on March 27, 1905. Prior to this, he was the US Ambassador to Austria-Hungary from 1901 to 1902 and later served as the Ambassador to France from 1905 to 1907. He retired from diplomatic service in 1907 due to declining health. McCormick's involvement with the Imperial Family has been preserved in the State Archives of the Russian Federation: December 30, 1902 The train which left St. Petersburg at 1 p.m. brought to Tsarskoye Selo the newly appointed Ambassador of the U.S.A., Mr. McCormick with 2 secretaries of the Embassy in the company of the Chief Master of Ceremonies Count Hendrikov, from the office of the Steward of the Household, 2 secretaries of the Ceremonies Department, the Master of Ceremonies and an aide-de-camp. At the 3rd entrance of the [Alexander] Palace the Ambassador was met by the Marshal of the Court, Prince Dolgoruky and other gentlemen, and was led by 1 kammer-fourrier, 2 hof-fourriers and 2 footmen to the Crimson Sitting Room where they were offered tea. At 2.30 the Ambassador was given Their Majesties' audience during which he handed them his letters of credential. At the end of the audience the Ambassador was led back, and at 3.30 he left for St. Petersburg by the Tsarskoye Selo railroad. (ГАРФ, Ф. 516, Оп. 2, д. 160) March 9, 1905 The Ambassador's wife, Mrs. McCormick, was first introduced to Empress Maria Feodorovna at 12 and then at 1.30 to Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. At the ceremony there was 1 footman and one hof-fourrier in Sunday uniforms as well as several kammer-pages. (ГАРФ, Ф. 516, Оп. 2, д. 190) March 14, 1905 At 3.40 there was a farewell audience given by Their Majesties to the Ambassador of the USA Mr. McCormick. The Ambassador was met by 1 kammer-fourrier, 2 hof-fourriers and 2 footmen in red uniforms. At 3 p.m. the Ambassador said "good-bye" to the Empress Maria Fyodorovna. (ГАРФ, Ф. 516, Оп. 2, д. 190) It seems likely that the tea set may have been a parting gift from the Imperial family. Masterpieces of Russian Enamel from an Important American Collection HID12401132022 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved