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SNUFFBOX WITH "THE FEAT OF GENERAL RAEVSKII AND HIS SONS"

Creator(s): Salvatore Cardelli (After) , Ivan Kaltykov (Maker)

Currently in storage


About this object

The rectangular box is curved, as seen from the side, and has two covers on the top, opening back to back, one cover being considerably larger then the other. On the larger cover is a possibly apocryphal scene of the defense of the town of Saltanovka, near Smolensk, during the French invasion of 1812. On July 23 (11), 1812 the Russian Army’s Seventh Infantry Corps under the command of Lt. Gen. Nikolai Nikolaevich Raevskii (1771-1829) engaged French troops of Marshall Davout. The box, copying a popular print Salvatore Cardelli issued in 1813, shows the critical moment at which Gen. Raevskii (center), together with his 16 year old son Alexander (at left) and 11 year old son Nikolai (right, 1801-1843), led the counterattack across a pontoon bridge. By tradition, Raevskii is said to have shouted, “Forward, Men! I and my children, who I sacrifice for the Tsar and Fatherland, will open a pass for you!” On the smaller cover are a group of architectural motifs probably meant to indicate Saltanovka. On the reverse is a cluster of military trophies and banners framed by a border of acanthus leaves. The sides are decorated with scenes of villages, all in niello and silver.

Object name:
SNUFFBOX WITH "THE FEAT OF GENERAL RAEVSKII AND HIS SONS"
Made from:
Silver -- niello
Made in:
Moscow, Russia
Date made:
1829
Size:
1.9 × 4.1 × 6.4 cm (3/4 × 1 5/8 × 2 1/2 in.)

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:
13.31
Class:
NIELLO
Signature marks:
MARK inside of larger cover: St. George and the Dragon for Moscow, 84 for the silver standard, A.K. on bottom: A.K. with date 1829 and 84
Credit line:
Bequest of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1973