Of all Imperial coronations which took place in 19th century Europe, perhaps none were as splendid as those orchestrated in Russia. The complex and monumental event included the participation of thousands, both as participants and suppliers, whose job it was to ensure that every item associated with this important regal and religious ceremony was fitting for the occasion. As such, religious vestments worn by all participating clergy and servers (like the offered lot) were of the very best quality. Preparations for coronations could easily take over a year and were managed by a special Coronation Committee that was allocated colossal sums of money from the State budget which spared no expense.

The brothers Alexander and Vladimir Sapozhnikov were descendents of an ancient Russian merchant dynasty which founded a textile firm in 1836 in Moscow. Gold and silver textiles produced there won grand-prix and gold medals several times at international and world exhibitions in the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries. In 1852 Sapozhnikov became official suppliers of the Russian Imperial court, their textiles being used for upholstery, window curtains and draperies in Imperial palaces and in the mansions of the Russian aristocracy. They also supplied the army with flags and standards, the Russian clergy with fabric for vestments, and the court with ceremonial garments, such as the offered lot.

The sticharion is a liturgical vestment of the Eastern Orthodox churches, roughly anagolous in function to the alb in the Western church. In those worn by deacons, dubdeacons, altar servers and sometimes readers, the sticharion takes the basic form as illustrated in the offered lot. Thus, it is close to the Dalmatic in the Latin church. The sticharion is a symbol of a pure and tranquil conscience, a spotless life and the spiritual joy in the Lord which flows therefrom.