LOT 410
Zoom
LOT 410 410
AN EXTREMELY RARE IMPERIAL RUSSIAN ARMOR SET OF AN OFFICER OF HIS MAJESTY`S OWN CAUCASIAN-MOUNTAINS HALF-SQUADRON KONVOI ESCORT, TULA, CIRCA LATE 1830S
The Taj type helmet in traditional Circassian form, surmounted by a silver gilt finial with two red "tongues" and ornamented with parcel-gilt silver panels, the mountings elaborately chased and nielloed with Koranic verses in Arabic, the aventail of riveted links falling to the shoulder, the accompanying hauberk comprised of Circassian style "double-riveted rings," with half-length sleeves, open collar, and frontal slit, the steel arm guards adorned with chased and gilded silver panels and secured with red leather straps, the red leather belt decorated with silver-gilt panels and a seahorse buckle clasp, all silver parts marked 84 standard, illegible maker`s mark on helmet, height of helmet from finial to bottom of chainmail: 68.6 cm (27 in.) Maker's mark is BH for an unknown master as well as unclear town mark of Tula. See collection of the State Hermitage museum in St. Petersburg for a similar helmet and wrist-guards and collection of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff Academy museum in Moscow for a similar belt.
PROVENANCE
Jackson`s, June 03, 2014, lot 184.
San Giorgio Aste, December 2013, lot 628.
LOT NOTES
Nicholas I ordered the Caucasus Mountains` Half-Squadron of His Imperial Majesty Konvoi Escort to be formed in 1828, shortly after Russia s conquest of the Northern Caucasus. This Escort was to be comprised of voluntarily conscripted, local high nobles from the Caucasus . In issuing such an edict, the Emperor demonstrated his regard for the well-being of the people of the region. Members of the Konvoi Escort were outfitted in elaborate parade uniforms; approximately 60 sets of helmets and arm guards were produced in the 1830s by the Tula Arms Factory and paid for by the Imperial treasury. Each set was decorated at great expense to imitate traditional 18th century Circassian examples. Konvoi Escort officers received Taj type helmets as well as arm guards and belts. The half squadron uniforms were used by every member of the squadron until 1882, after which only natives of the Northern Georgian region wore them. The uniform then became known as "historical. " Fewer than five such uniforms exist today outside of Russian museum collections and this set is believed to be the only officer`s type in private hands.
PROVENANCE
Jackson`s, June 03, 2014, lot 184.
San Giorgio Aste, December 2013, lot 628.
LOT NOTES
Nicholas I ordered the Caucasus Mountains` Half-Squadron of His Imperial Majesty Konvoi Escort to be formed in 1828, shortly after Russia s conquest of the Northern Caucasus. This Escort was to be comprised of voluntarily conscripted, local high nobles from the Caucasus . In issuing such an edict, the Emperor demonstrated his regard for the well-being of the people of the region. Members of the Konvoi Escort were outfitted in elaborate parade uniforms; approximately 60 sets of helmets and arm guards were produced in the 1830s by the Tula Arms Factory and paid for by the Imperial treasury. Each set was decorated at great expense to imitate traditional 18th century Circassian examples. Konvoi Escort officers received Taj type helmets as well as arm guards and belts. The half squadron uniforms were used by every member of the squadron until 1882, after which only natives of the Northern Georgian region wore them. The uniform then became known as "historical. " Fewer than five such uniforms exist today outside of Russian museum collections and this set is believed to be the only officer`s type in private hands.
Estimate: $100,000 – $150,000
