1st Dec, 2021 14:00
ICONASTAS: Fine Russian Art & Antiques from the Renowned London Gallery
51
A Soviet faience figure by Iosif Chaikov (Russian, 1888-1979)
A Soviet faience figure by Iosif Chaikov (Russian, 1888-1979),
c.1934-1940, 'The Deep Sea Diver (Epronovets)', Konakovo Faience Factory, incised and printed marks to base,
18cm wide
14cm deep
30.5cm high
Provenance: Iconastas, Piccadilly Arcade, St James's, London, W1.
Literature: E A Bubnova, 'Konakovskii faians', Moscow, 1978, p.85.
The term 'Epronovets' comes from EPRON, the abbreviation of Ekspeditsiia podvodnykh rabot osobogo naznacheniia (Expedition for Special Purpose Underwater Work). The service, established in 1923, was intended to explore wrecks in Russian waters, salvaging both the valuable metals and, where possible, advanced technology. Their most famous achievement was raising HMS L-55, a British submarine sunk in the Gulf of Finland in 1919, which was salvaged in 1928 and refurbished, becoming part of the Soviet navy in 1931. It ultimately served as the basis for the design of the Soviet L-Class submarines.
Iosif Chaikov is best known as a monumental sculptor whose works decorated Moscow's Gorky Park and the Soviet Pavilions at the international expositions in Paris in 1937 and New York in 1939. He also helped to revitalise Soviet artistic faience. Following the 1917 Revolution, porcelain was commonly used for Soviet tableware and statuettes. In 1934, a group of important artists including Iosif Chaikov, Isidor Frikh-Khar, Vladimir Favorskii, Sarra Lebedeva, and Maria Kholodnaia began experimental work at the Konakovo Faience Factory (renamed in honour of Mikhail Kalinin). 'The Deep Sea Diver (Epronovets)' was one of Chaikov's most successful designs for Konakovo.
Российская советская фаянсовая статуэтка Иосифа Чайкова (Россиянин, 1888-1979)
Около 1934-1940гг., «Эпроновец», Конаковский фаянсовый завод, надрезанные и напечатанные марки по низу
Ширина: 18см
Глубина: 14см
Высота: 30,5см
Литература: Е.А. Бубнова, Конаковский фаянс, Москва,1978г., стр.85
Происхождение: Иконастас, Аркада Пикадилли, Сент-Джеймс, Лондон, W1
Слово "Эпроновец" происходит от названия ЭПРОН, которое является аббревиатурой Экспедиция подводных работ особого назначения. Ету службу, основанную в 1923ом году, предназначали для исследования кораблекрушений в российских водах. Она спасала ценные метали и, насколько возможно, продвинутые технологии. Самое известное достижение: они подняли HMS L-55, британскую подводную лодку, которая затонул в Финском заливе в 1919ом году. Лодку спасли в 1928ом году. После ремонта, она стала частью советского военно-морского флота в 1931ом году. Наконец служила дизайном советских подводных лодок типа «Ленинец».
Иосиф Чайков известный как скультпор монументов, чьими произведениями был украшен Парк Горького в Москве и советские павильоны на всемирных выставках в Париже в 1937ом году и Нью-Йорке в 1939ом году. Он также помог оживить советский художественный фаянс. После Октябрьской революции, фарфором часто изпользовали для посуды и статуэток. В 1934ом году, группа важных художников, в том числе Иосиф Чайков, Исидор Фрих-Хар, Владимир Фаворский, Сарра Лебедева и Мария Холодная начали экспериментальную роботу на Конаковском фаянсовом заводе (который переименовали в честь Михаила Калинина). Статуэтка Эпроновец является одним из самых известных дизайнов для Конакова.
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Sold for £1,800
Condition Report
Crazing throughout. Two chips to base rim. Chip to the centre of the ship. Pitting and manufacturing faults. General surface wear and scratches.
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Auction: ICONASTAS: Fine Russian Art & Antiques from the Renowned London Gallery, 1st Dec, 2021
We are delighted to be able to welcome you to our latest sale, held as part of Russian Art Week: Autumn 2021.
The Piccadilly Arcade gallery was established by Chris Martin-Zakheim and John Gaze in 1974, specialising in Russian icons, works of art, and antiquities, until it closed its doors in 2018, having cemented a reputation as one of the industry’s leading specialists.
This sale, which is the first of several auctions of Iconastas stock, includes icons dating from the 14th to 20th centuries, soviet porcelain, works of art and propaganda, and also features icons from the personal collection of the late Chris Martin-Zakheim, whose premature passing after a brain-tumour diagnosis prompted the gallery’s closure.
Particular highlights of this sale are two icons formerly in the collection of George Hann (1890-1979), a pioneer of American aviation who assembled one of the world’s finest private collections, previously sold in a landmark auction at Christie’s after his death. He acquired many pieces directly from the Russian State in the 1930s, when the Soviet government sold a great number of artworks from the nation’s important collections. The two icons bear labels and inventory numbers for the State Tretyakov Gallery.
We are grateful to Nathalie Farman-Farma of the design studio Décors Barbares, who has kindly provided a selection of Russian, Central Asian and Eastern-inspired textiles, which have been used throughout the catalogue to highlight and accentuate the colours and motifs of the artworks, proving also that works of such distinguished heritage can be blended seamlessly into a modern decorative setting.
In person bidding is available, please visit below to book or call 01279 817778.
Viewing
VIEWING BY APPOINTMENT
We will be offering viewing by appointment only, to be held at our London Gallery, 15 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ. One hour time slots will be available from:
Thurs 25 Nov, 10am - 7pm
Fri 26 Nov, 10am - 5pm
Sat 27 Nov, 12 noon - 4pm
Sun 28 Nov, 12 noon - 4pm
Mon 29 Nov, 10am - 5pm
Tues 30 Nov, 10am - 5pm
All lots are, however, extensively illustrated and carry detailed condition reports - see 'Condition report' at the foot of each lot description.
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