ANTIQUE 19thC RUSSIAN IMPERIAL SOLID SILVER PRESENTATION TANKARD, SOKOLOV c.1871

DESCRIPTION

Antique 19th Century unique Imperial Russian Solid Silver presentation tankard and cover, stunning Pan-Slavic trompe-l'oeil design imitating a wooden barrel, large and impressive size, the front bears an important memorial inscription:

"His Imperial Highness The Grand Duke Alexis to J. H. Deveroux, Souvenir December 26, 27, 28 - 1871".

Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia (1850-1908) was the fourth son of the Tsar Alexander II or Russia. The Duke visited Cleveland, United States, in 1871, for the "1st Inventor's Exhibition", opened in December 27th (the main attraction was a "talking machine" invented by Professor Faber of Vienna, 6 years before Edison's phonograph's patent). The historical moment is recorded in W. Scott Robinson, "History of the City of Cleveland. Its settlements, rise and progress", 1887, pp. 156-165 and William Ganson Rose, "Cleveland: the making of a city", 1990, p. 381: "General J. H. Devereux (...) went by train to Willoughby to meet a special train carrying the Grand Duke Alexis of Russia and his Imperial party to Cleveland for a visit".

John Henry Devereux was superintendent of military railroads during the Civil War and made an enviable record that qualified him to become general superintendent and vice president of the Cleveland & Pittsburgh Railroad, president of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, president of the Atlantic & Great Western and the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis lines. He became a leading figure, refusing twice the nomination for Congress.

This tankard is an exceptional museum piece not only for the astonishing artistic value, but also for a unique historical relevance both for Russian and American heritage.

Each part is Hallmarked Russian Silver (84 for 875 standard), St Petersburgh, year 1871, Maker's mark for A. Y. Sokolov.

CONDITION

In Great Condition - No damage, just general wear.

SIZE

Height: 17.5cm

Width: 20.5 x 14.2cm

Weight: 1150g