PRINCESS ELENA BELOSSELSKY-BELOZERSKY: A VICTORIAN SILVER TABLE MIRROR

From Sotheby’s 22 April 2010

PRINCESS ELENA BELOSSELSKY-BELOZERSKY: A VICTORIAN SILVER TABLE MIRROR, JOHN S. HUNT, LONDON,
1849

the mirror framed with a cast border of blooming garlands, the top of the mirror with two draped putti supporting a crowned shield on which appears the coat-of-arms of the Princes Beloselskoy, set on scroll with a wooden back
marked except for one garland, the reverse stamped HUNT & ROSKELL LATE STORR MORTIMER & HUNT 3707
height 29in.
73.7cm

PROVENANCE
Princess Elena Belosselsky-Belozersky, née Bibikov, later Princess Kotschoubey.

CATALOGUE NOTE
Elena Bibikov was the wife of Prince Esper A. Belosselsky-Belozersky (1802-46). After his early death, she controlled the extensive family fortunes on behalf of their young son. In 1848-49, she commissioned Court Architect André Stackenschneider to rebuild the family palace on the Nevsky Prospect, opposite the Anitchkov Palace. From this stage, she gave balls and receptions which dazzled the capital and court, becoming one of the social leaders of the city. An 1860 portrait of the princess by Winterhalter is at the Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore.
A tea and coffee service, tray, and pair of salvers with the same arms, by Hunt, 1849-51, were sold Parke-Bernet Galleries, 23 November 1971, lots 51, 53, 54, “Property of Alexis Manice, Tuxedo Park, N. Y.”
Hunt and Roskell also supplied a large silver service in 1850-51 for Grand Duchess Ekaterina Mikhailevna, granddaughter of Paul I; pieces from this are preserved in the Hermitage.

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