Lot 65
Hand crafted in gold, the ornately sculptured and engraved hinged box measuring 90 x 60 x 35mm, with raised and carved scrolled patterns to the lid , harlequin patterned blue enamel oval centre section and applied diamond set crown and initial "A II", surrounded by an oval border of mine cut diamonds, with six old European cut diamonds to the surround totalling 10.60cts, the repousse body finely hand engraved and the base also engraved with a scroll, leaf and floral design, the inner lip is stamped with the numbers 2378 and hand etched 27377, the base impressed mark 14 CMWS 2378, mark of Carl Martin Weishaupt und Söhne, Hanau, 157 grams, with original fitted presentation box.
By repute the box was originally gifted from Tsar Alexander II to Dr Sergei Botkin, the Court Physician, to the Tsar in St Petersburg. Historians of the period note that often royalty would not pay for services rendered; instead they would be gifted valuable items or bestowed titles of nobility.
The box later passed onto Dr Sergei Botkin's son Dr Eugene Botkin, who was assassinated along with the Romanov family and their servants, on the 17th July 1918.
Prior to this, Dr Botkin held a fundraising dinner party, where the box was part of an exclusive tombola to raise funds for a new children's hospital in Malmo. The Swedish Great Great Grandfather, of one of the later owners of the box, Edward Engestrom (1821-1899) won the box after purchasing a ticket for 8000 Swedish crowns, along with only eight others.
Edward Engestrom was a self-made Industrialist living in Malmo Sweden. The proceeds were used to build the Children's hospital in Malmo where it still stands today. As a result of Edward Engstrom's donation two beds in the hospital were allocated specifically to the Engstrom family.
Provenance:
The Raymond Schlager Collection, purchased from a descendant of the Engstrom family, Circa 2006.
Notes:
Jewelled boxes of this type are rarely seen at auction in Australia.
A similar example is held at the National Museum of Helsinki Finland.
On 3rd December 2007 (Lot 110), Bonhams and Goodman sold a similar box for $234,000.00 AUD IBP.
On the 24th of February 2015, Sotheby's London sold a similar box that was paste set for $48,000.00 GBP IBP
Estimate $120,000 - $180,000
The overall condition of the box is very good. XRF tested 14ct gold. No obvious defects to the outer. Hinge is tight. Some pitting to the inner lid liner. Interior box liner finished in rose gold. Makers mark CMWS is rubbed on the letter 'C'. Approximate total diamond weight of Principle diamonds 10.60cts. Diamonds are of a low in colour and vary in clarity from SI to P1. Hing needs adjustment. Total approximate weight of box is 157.1gms. Original felt outer box shows signs of wear to the exterior & interior. Silk on lid is indented where the diamonds touch the top of the box. It is also water stained and is torn in a number of places.
The opinions expressed in the condition reports are a guide only and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Prospective buyers are encouraged to inspect articles for sale at our pre-sale viewing where Leonard Joel staff are available for advice.
Leonard Joel makes no guarantee of the originality of mechanical or applied components. Absence of reference to such modifications does not imply that a lot is free from modifications.
The Schlager Collection
AUCTION
Sale: LJ8213
6:30pm - 4 December 2017
333 Malvern Rd, South Yarra 3141
VIEWING
Viewing in Sydney
18-19 November, 10am-4pm
Viewing in Melbourne
22 November, 9am-8pm
23-26 November, 10am-4pm
2-4 December, 10am-4pm
CONTACT
Kerry Dobson
kerry.dobson@leonardjoel.com.au