Maria SEMENOVA - LARGE RUSSIAN IMPERIAL SILVER and ENAMEL EGG
This is an extremely well-executed piece - a large Russian gilt-silver enameled egg, crafted in an ovoid shape, and consisting of two halves that rest on a three-legged stand.
HALLMARKS: with Kokoshnik, '84' silver mark, and 'MC' in Cyryllic for silver master Maria Semenova (circa 1896-1908).
SOME EXPERTS believe that items made by Maria Semenova can be found in Faberge cases. These items also have engraved numbers and letters, just like the items of independent workmasters who produced objects for FABERGE but were not part of the House of FABERGE.
CONDITION: Very good condition for its age. For further information, please refer to the pictures and feel free to contact us via email with any questions.
PROVENANCE: 1. Private Collection, New York, July 09, 2001; 2. Joshua Kodner, Dania Beach, FL, USA, October 30, 2020 (the winner will receive this information); 3. Live Auctioneers, Russian Antique collection, 2023, sold for $1,700 - please see the screenshot; 4. Our sale of this item adds another layer of provenance. History of sale is very IMPORTANT for serious collection.
LARGE SIZE: 3 1/2 inches (9 cm). Weight: 126 grams.
ESTIMATED PRICE: $1,000 - $4,000 (significantly lower than today's market price). You have a GREAT CHANCE to purchase a rare item for your collection, and over the years, its price will only INCREASE.
HISTORY of SALES: A few years ago, Russian silver enamel eggs were sold on Live Auctioneers for $2,400 (6 years ago), $2,600 (8 years ago), $4,000 (7 years ago) and on Sotheby's for $6,000 (6 years ago) - please refer to the screenshots for details. Today, prices have significantly increased compared to those of 5-10 years ago.
WARRANTY: The buyer has 7 days to inspect items valued at up to $5,000 and 15 days for items valued at $5,000 or more. Items can be returned to the seller for a refund; please refer to the Terms for more details.
NO RESERVE: More than 70% of all auctioned items have NO reserve price. Among the remaining items, there is a very reasonable reserve price set.
OFFER: If an item is NOT SOLD, you can still submit a reasonable offer. Please save the link to this page.
PAYMENT: Payment can be made with a Credit Card, Zelle, PayPal (for international bidders), Wire Transfer, Check, or Money Order.
PAY in PARTS - HOW it WORKS: You can pay for any item over a period of 3-6 months. To get started, please make a 10% deposit, and the item will be reserved for you. Simply make the deposit using any method listed on the invoice. The remaining balance can be paid in installments over up to 6 months at your convenience. The items will be sent to you once the full payment is made. NO interest will be added. Over the past few years, many people have found this option to be very HELPFUL.
EXCHANGE: If you find an item in our auction that you like, you have the option to exchange it for your collectible items of equivalent estimated value. Additionally, you can use your items as PART of the PAYMENT for a winning item; please feel free to inquire about this new and exciting feature.
FREE SHIPPING worldwide for items valued at $5,000 or more. For other items, domestic shipping costs are $18.85. There are NO pick-up fees, NO handling fees, and NO transportation fees. Combined shipping is available, and the next item will have a shipping fee of ONE DOLLAR.
NEW: Buyers who are satisfied with our service and give us a 5-star rating will receive FREE domestic shipping for ONE YEAR !!
WELCOME: We welcome new bidders and will ship the item according to your instructions.
ABSENTEE BIDs: Placing an absentee bid is another way for you to participate if you can't join Live Auction in person. It's straightforward - we will place bids on your behalf as if you were participating in the auction yourself. You can submit absentee bids on multiple lots, and NO additional fees are required. Please email us for details.
PLEASE NOTE: If you want to buy this item, please make a bid now. Some lots that do not have any bids or have only one bid on them will be CLOSED THREE days before the auction starts and will not be included in it. Currently, there are 700+ items available for preview, but there will be ONLY 450 items in the Live Auction.

HISTORY: Semenova, Maria Wasiliewna. Working in Moscow from about 1890. Her pieces are of outstanding quality, especially in the painting of the cloisons. Her style tends more to the traditional, less often Art Nouveau. The magnificent cloisons of her flowers (on a matted gold grond) are shaded with violet tones. Other typical colours are white and green, with frequent frames of round turquoise pearls. Also from her hand are enamel paintings en plein combined with cloisonne frames. Maria Semyonova inherited her father's factory after his death in 1896. She owned and managed the company but she was not a registered skilled master. Therefore she hasn't made a single thing only maintained the right to use an official maker's mark MC given by the guild. The objects marked with Maria's maker's mark are made by other skilled master working in the company. MC is more a logo/trade mark comparable with e.g. the FABERGE mark.

Used