Old Russian Double Eagle - looking for advise

M

mpjustin

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
119   0   0
Location
BC
Hi all,

I'm am looking for information and on a Framed Embroidered Russian Double Eagle Coat Of Arms.
I am thinking of selling it and can't find anything similar on line to compare it to. It is very detailed and is quite old. Probably late 1800's to early 1900's ( I bought it off of a 70 year old Russian man who said it was his fathers. ) I sent pictures to an auction company and they thought it would fetch 1-2K maybe more. They said it's an interesting piece and you never know.

Any one here have much experience in dealing with some of the larger Auction companies? (Bonhams or Christie's) Or any advice on how to establish a proper value on this style of piece?

I know it's not gun related but I also know there is some very knowledgable members on Gunnutz - any help or information is appreciated. (Sorry if this is posted in the wrong section)

I very carefully took it out of the frame for detailed pics and there are no makers marks anywhere that I can see.

Thanks,
MP Justin

faabf4f3a9742d795984ab400b8a6c12.jpg
[/IMG]

681284cb2a5e3a4671ab82098201969a.jpg
[/IMG]

6bfa6087f03eeab39a8d04bb94668657.jpg
[/IMG]

b26bf0736aedcf6520879661cc349c0b.jpg
[/IMG]

85c492b8f3beab4f5fa30df47fb422e7.jpg
[/IMG]
 
Last edited:
That'd be a COAT of Arms. That's not a coat of arms either. It's just the device that went on it. There'd be a background colour(Gold for Imperial Russia and Moscow.)
Without a maker's mark it could have been done by the guy's grandma. So it may or may not have any value other than artistic value. Anyway, that is Moscow's arms, not Tzarist Russian. Difference is the guy on the horse.
https://flagspot.net/flags/ru).html#dif
Christies or any of the other big houses will cost you a fortune. But go here and contact 'em. http://www.christies.com/about-us/help/
Taking it out of the frame may have been a bad idea.
 
sunray said:
That'd be a COAT of Arms. That's not a coat of arms either. It's just the device that went on it. There'd be a background colour(Gold for Imperial Russia and Moscow.)
Without a maker's mark it could have been done by the guy's grandma. So it may or may not have any value other than artistic value. Anyway, that is Moscow's arms, not Tzarist Russian. Difference is the guy on the horse.
https://flagspot.net/flags/ru).html#dif
Christies or any of the other big houses will cost you a fortune. But go here and contact 'em. http://www.christies.com/about-us/help/
Taking it out of the frame may have been a bad idea.
Click to expand...

Thanks Sunray for the info and the links.
I was very careful with the frame removal and all the finishing nails holding it in all went into the exact holes they started in. I wanted to see if there was any makers marks and it was really difficult to get detailed pictures with the glass in front of it. :)

cheers,
Justin
 
sunray said:
That'd be a COAT of Arms. That's not a coat of arms either. It's just the device that went on it. There'd be a background colour(Gold for Imperial Russia and Moscow.)
Without a maker's mark it could have been done by the guy's grandma. So it may or may not have any value other than artistic value. Anyway, that is Moscow's arms, not Tzarist Russian. Difference is the guy on the horse.
https://flagspot.net/flags/ru).html#dif
Christies or any of the other big houses will cost you a fortune. But go here and contact 'em. http://www.christies.com/about-us/help/
Taking it out of the frame may have been a bad idea.
Click to expand...

At first glance it appears to be a Russian imperial coat of arms. But on second look, it does not fit the customary drawing of the double headed eagle and other details. The biggest mystery/problem are the wings. It is not the way that they are usually drawn; neither on government crests, regional crests, orders, badges etc... The closest drawing of such wings is in the family crest of Alexander II however nothing else fits. This type of wings have also a faint resemblance to some elements on the chain for the St. Stanislaus order, but that may be because of the size and material limitations.

My best guess is that a very skilled person did her of his best to do a crest from memory or indulged in considerable artistic license. It is doubtful that the crest has anything to do with the coat of arms of Moscow or the Moscow region: Moscow consist only of a shield with St. George slaying the dragon whereas the Moscow region crest is similar except that it has a crown on top and oak leaves surrounding the shield with St. George facing in the opposite direction, like in the embroidery.
 
Regardless of what it's worth today, someone put a lot of time into its creation. I'm lucky if I can sew a button back on a shirt.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom