**First Time At Auction**

Eastern Europe, Russia, Imperial Period, ca. late 19th to mid-20th century CE. A beautiful collection of 3 nickel-brass, silver, and cloisonne chatelaines and letter openers. The first letter opener is made from nickel-brass with a cloisonne grip. This opener is a little later than the Imperial period but demonstrates the lasting style of the Tsarist artisans. The next piece is a chatelaine with a medallion and hook, attached by a chain to a knife sheath. Originally a small dagger would have slipped into the sheath. The last item demonstrates how the complete chatelaine would look - a miniature steel blade dagger with a cloisonne handle and gilt silver sheath. This dagger also may have been attached to a chain and pin at one time. The two sheaths are stamped with kokoshnik purity marks, and the cloisonne on each is contained within delicate filigree borders that contain foliate and flower motifs in blue, cobalt, red, and green. Size of largest letter opener: 6.75" L x 0.8" W (17.1 cm x 2 cm); sheath: 2.5" L x 0.6" W (6.4 cm x 1.5 cm); silver quality: 84% to 92.5%

Provenance: ex-collection of James Farmer, Maryland, collected from major galleries and auction houses between 1995 and 2005

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#120548

Blade of knife with sheath has chips and russet patina. Loss to an integral loop on sheath. Cloisonne and filigree are intact and very good. Areas of patina and dark toning. The stamped marks are clear. Chatelaine with hook medallion is missing the knife, but sheath is intact. Losses to gold gilt around the cloisonne on sheath and medallion, and accumulated mineral or wax build up within recessed areas. Largest letter opener has dark toning and patina as well as chip to blade tip.