Lot n° 368
Estimation :
8000 - 12000
EUR
Result with fees
Result
: 15 456EUR
BADGE OF MAID OF HONOR WITH THE FIGURE OF... - Lot 368 - Coutau-Bégarie
BADGE OF MAID OF HONOR WITH THE FIGURE OF THE EMPRESS ALEXANDRA FEODOROVNA (1798-1860).
Silver mounted on yellow gold forming the monogram "A" of the Empress Alexandra, under imperial crown entirely set with diamonds and held by an antique ribbon in light blue silk taffeta in the colors of the Order of St. Andrew, bearing engraved No. XII in Roman numeral. Good condition, although the two elements have been detached and the reverse of the number A was rhodium plated later, so the crossbar of the A is not gilded as originally.
Russian work, without apparent hallmarks, 1828-1855.
H.: 7,5 cm - L.: 4,5 cm.
Total gross weight: 27 g.
History: It seems that between 1828 and 1855, 14 bridesmaids' brooches with the figure of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna were issued, our example is number XII. The insignia of the bridesmaids consisted of the initials of the empress in diamonds surmounted by the imperial crown. This figure was worn on the left shoulder suspended from the ribbon of the Order of Saint Andrew. Originally introduced by Empress Catherine II, the design was revised at the very beginning of each new reign or upon the death of a Dowager Empress. This jewel was worn on all occasions such as court balls, religious celebrations, imperial birthdays, weddings, baptisms and funerals. These insignia were free for the recipients, unlike the imperial orders. They were expensive objects, the price of which could vary between 500 and 900 rubles during the period from 1890 to 1910.
Reference: see a similar brooch model in the book "The Russian
Imperial award system (1894-1917)", by Ulla Tillander-Godenhielm, page 44, as well as in the book "Empress Alexandra Feodorovna", edited by the Peterhof Castle Museum and Reserves, published by Abris, St. Petersburg, 2008, page 171. Another piece of jewelry of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna's maid of honor
Feodorovna was presented during the exhibition "At the Russian Court palace and protocol in the 19th century", at the Hermitage in Amsterdam in 2009 and illustrated on page 92 of the catalog.
Provenance: this jewel was given by Empress Alexandra Feodorovna to a princess of the Kochuby family and inherited by Princess
Barbara Kotchoubey (1893-1897), then kept in her descendants until today.
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