Lot 147
A FINE AND IMPORTANT PAIR OF RUSSIAN CARVED IVORY BUSTS OF EMPEROR ALEXANDER II & NICHOLAS I, ATTRIBUTTED TO YAKOV PANFILOVICH SERIAKOV (1818-1869), CIRCA 1855.    Each carved in full round of good proportions and likeness with deeply carved hair and fine detailing especially in the uniform and accoutrements of Alexander II.  Each resting atop a carved ivory fluted column set in matching bronze stepped bases with leaf-tipped borders. Height of each carved bust approximately 4.7 inches (120 mm). Overall height including bases 10.75 inches (272 mm).
Estimate:  $18,000 - 22,000   € 12,600 - 15,400

Passed

Literature:
See: The article by M. Romma and T. Milanski in the book, Ivory Carving in Russian 18th-19th Century, by I.N. Ukhanova, Leningrad Publishing, 1981.

Comparison:
For a very similar bust of Nicholas I attributed to Seriakov, see Kabinet Antiques Gallery and Auctions, Moscow, Auction No. 19, lot 52 in which an almost identical bust (albeit much smaller) was offered. 

The offered lot was presumably executed around the time of the coronation of Tsar Alexander II (1855) which would correspond to the pinnacle of Seriakov’s career. Yakov (Jacob) Panfilovich Seriakov was the son of a middleclass St. Petersburg merchant. Naturally imbued with the gift of artistry, in 1839 Seriakov applied to the Academy of Fine Arts for a scholarship but was rejected. Undaunted, this rejection from the Academy did not stop him from pursuing his interest in carving which he would eventually turn to fulltime for his livelihood. In 1842, he created a bust of the Tsarevich Alexander Nikolaevich for which he was recognized and rewarded with the gift of a precious ring. This event presumably launched his career as from then on he enjoyed a successful profession executing works of famous actors, merchants, soldiers, and members of the Royal family. A newspaper article in the St. Petersburg publication the "Northern Bee," dated March 14, 1842, states that his works can been seen at the fashionable showroom of K.A. Polyakov located on Nevsky Prospect. In 1848, after completing a bust of Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovich, Seriakov was once again recognized on this occasion with the gift of two more rings as well as a presentation gold watch. While Seriakov's most commonly utilized medium was ivory, he is also known to have worked in wood, marble, bronze, plaster, and porcelain. His works are held in numerous museums throughout Russia including the Pushkin Museum of Fine Art, Moscow, and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, as well as private collections.