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The Family of Serbs , August Spiess, Russian Imperial Porcelain Manufactory
$35,000
£26,434.67
€30,550.67
CA$49,092.86
A$54,596.01
CHF 28,578.49
MX$666,004.92
NOK 359,099.16
SEK 337,779.12
DKK 228,040.89
About the Item
Beautiful,extremely rare and valuable unglazed Bisque Porcelain group depicting a family of Serbs.
An armed man is saying goodbye to his wife and little son before leaving for war against Turks.
Manufacture : Russian Imperial Porcelain Manufactory (RIPM) in St.Ptersburg
Name of the group: “ Family of Serbs ”, Model by August Spiess (1817–1904) This group was manufactured at the RIPM both white and decorated overglaze in very limited numbers only.
Size: 45.5 см long ,base Ø 18см, weight 3.685 grams.
Condition : Finest physical condition for age,no physical damages or restorations,firing cracks only.There is a larger firing crack on the back side of the base,that was filled with kaolin at the manufacture, a few minor cracks are visual on some parts of the bodies involved.The larger crack can be hidden invisibly ,but there is no need for that,really.
It’s natural defect that should be normally remain untreated. It’s not visual from the frontal side and it doesn’t affect the overall outlook of the piece negatively.
Footnotes.
This group is a symbolic embodiment of the Serbian people who despite all odds and sufferings kept fighting ottoman invaders from 1350s to1867 remaining faithful to the traditions of Orthodox Christianity.The man is likely praying,crossing the sky with his left arm,with his fingers held in Orthodox way,while his wife holds the Orthodox cross hanging on his neck.The fact that Serbs were Slavic and Orthodox Christian people would have always affect their relations with Orthodox Russians,who throughout very long period of time would openly seek to obtain political and religious influence on Serbian territory,showing sympathy and trying by all means to help the Serbs in their attempts to liberate their land from Turkish invaders.Popular in Russia,this general pro-Serbian sentiment most likely caused A.Spiess to create this particular model.It is believed that groups and figures by A.Speiss depicting Bulgarians,Serbs and others were created to commemorate the long history of many Russian -Turkish wars,namely the conflict that took place between 1828–1829 and Cremean war of 1853-1856 over Russia's rights to protect Orthodox Christians.
The Russo-Turkish wars were a series of wars fought between the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire between the 16th and 20th centuries.It was one of the longest conflicts in European history.Close bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Serbia and the Russian Empire was one of the main factors that led to the beginning of the first World War that in its turn caused some major factors that led to the beginning of WW2 later on.
Date of Creation: this model was created in 1870-s ,it is marked with the name of the sculptor in Russian and dated 1876.
This particular group was made during the reign of Alexander II
About the sculptor: August Spiess (1817–1904),was the chief of Sculpture department of Russain Imperial Porcelain Manufacture in S.Petersburg between 1853 until 1897.
He graduated from the Berlin Academy of Arts in 1846 and was invited to St. Petersburg to participate in the process of decoration of the Winter Palace that suffered greatly after fire in 1837.On the first of May,1849 he was imployed a sculptor at the Imperial Porcelain Factory and in 1853 he became appointed as a modelmeyster or chief modeler of the RIPM. A.Spiess worked at the factory until 1897.During 48 years period of his activity he created most of the sculptural models that were produced at the factory during that period.His diverse projects included : large porcelain clock cases,lamps,decorative vases,Christmas egs, various original models of figures and groups - both small and large sized and some copies of the models of Meissen and Sevres manufactures,etc.
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Most of the items that we sell at Atelier De Montplaisir are not new at all if not stated otherwise. Accordingly, most of the items most often show some signs of use. We do our best to photograph and describe condition as accurately as possible if we notice something. There is no point in hiding anything or lying about the condition of used items that are at least several decades old..
Also presume that our items may show minor scratches, chips,cracks, micro-dents, minor deformations, loss of color or gilding and other signs of wear and aging that we could miss to notice in description, unintentionally. .
If there are questions about an item, please email us before you buy it. Atelier De Montplaisir will note in the descriptions any anomalies but also provide visual aid concerning condition though photographs, and these should be considered part of the description.
Most images of items listed were taken under natural light at daytime. We at Atelier De Montplaisir use modern high quality digital cameras and additional photo equipment for image processing. We upload high quality images that allow to see well the shapes, colors and flaws of the items offered for sale.So look carefully before you buy anything. In reality some colors of materials involved may look a bit differently depending on light conditions, settings and functionality of your monitor and my camera. Your personal perception of colors and physiological conditions of your eyes may also affect the vision of the items.
Unfortunately Internet sales do not allow us to see the items in person before we get them by post. All listings at Atelier De Montplaisir contain detailed images and accurate descriptions of the items involved with all possible detailed information about characteristics and measurements involved. Minor color deviations may be possible. So If you want to be be absolutely sure about the colors or other qualities of the items that you want to buy - please buy at physical shops and avoid internet shops. Do not buy here.
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- Dimensions:Height: 17.92 in (45.5 cm)Width: 7.09 in (18 cm)Depth: 7.09 in (18 cm)
- Style:Empire (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Unknown
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Overall fine condition with minor cracks on inner paspartu of kiot. Kiot has a crack on back side. Icon in finest condition.
- Seller Location:Malmö, SE
- Reference Number:Seller: Family.Serbs1stDibs: LU10518246462692
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