World Treasures: Important Russian, Asian, European & American Works
June 3rd & 4th, 2014
auction closed
Day One - Lots 1-534
Day Two - Lots 535-1136


 
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LOT 174
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Lot 174
A RARE IMPERIAL RUSSIAN ARMY REGIMENTAL "COLOR" BANNER OF THE LIFE-GUARDS' REGIMENTS FROM THE REIGN OF PAVEL I, CIRCA 1800. The silk banner roughly square, the center with the Imperial double-headed eagle in semi-profile with one raised wing and one lowered wing and with lightning bolts in its talons, set within ribbon tied laurel wreath beneath a banner emblazoned in Cyrillic "God is with Us" and surmounted by the Imperial Crown, the corners with Russian/Maltese monogram within ribbon-tied laurel wreaths. Surviving specimens from this period in any condition are exceedingly rare. 56.5 inches x 57.5 inches (144 x 146 cm).
Estimate:  $26,000 - 30,000   € 18,200 - 21,000
Price Realized: $40,000.00

In 1797, Emperor Paul I instituted a large scale reform of the Russian army and government that had important implications for Russian heraldry and military regalia. Among these changes was the institution of new types of banners for military regiments. Every Life-Guards' Regiment received one "White" and several "Color" banners of new design. The Russian/Maltese monogram was added and the image of the Imperial eagle was radically changed to closely resemble that of the Prussian Army.



It is likely this banner belonged to one of the three Life-Guards' Regiments in existence during the reign of Paul I: the Preobrazhensky, Semyonovsky, or Izmailovsky. However, since all Life-Guards' Regiments received the same type of banner, differentiated only by the colors of their poles, it is impossible to say which regiment the offered lot may have been from. Prior to Paul I's accession to the throne, each new Russian monarch would often discard the army's existing regalia in order to substitute designs pleasing to the new ruler, whereas Paul I declared that all flags and banners were to remain in service indefinitely. Therefore, it is possible that the offered lot was in use after Paul's assassination in 1801, and perhaps even during battles of the Napoleonic Wars of 1805-1814.



On this design, see: A.V. Viskovatov, Istoricheskoe Opisanie Odezhdy i Vooruzheniia Rossiiskikh Voisk, vol. 9, St. Petersburg, 1841-1862, ill. 1257 and V.V. Zvegintsov, Znamena i Shtandarty Russkoi Armii, Paris, 1964, p. 25.

All items are sold “AS IS” and there will be no returns based on condition. The items sold are often of considerable age and will exhibit wear, usage and damage often not listed in the catalog entry. The absence of condition remarks in the catalog entry DOES NOT mean the item is in perfect condition. Prospective buyers are in ALL CASES responsible for determining the physical condition of lots. No employee or agent of Jackson's International Auctioneers and Appraisers is authorized to make on our behalf or on that of the consignor any representation or warranty, oral or written, with respect to any property. Therefore, if a prospective bidder has not examined the property to their satisfaction before the sale, or his/her agent has not inspected the property, Jackson's recommends that they not bid on the property. All dimensions are approximate. The condition of frames is not guaranteed.