A Russian Diamond and Sapphire-Set Enameled Gold-Mounted Bloodstone Tazza Alexander Treiden, St. Petersburg, circa 1890 1-3/4 x 4-1/4 inches (4.4 x 10.8 cm) 104 grams PROVENANCE: Romanov Russia, Chicago, Illinois; Acquired from the above by the present owner. This exceptional and unique work is a true objet de vertu, exhibiting the jeweler Treiden's atelier's consummate skills in precious stone-cutting and setting, hardstone carving and polishing, gold work and enameling at the highest level of these arts. Further, the design is exceptional and derived directly from the work of Feodor Sol'ntsev's "Antiquities of the Russian State" (originally published Moscow, Tip[ografiiya]. A. Semena, 1849 – 1853). The central floral decorative element is identical to that used on the dessert plates of the Imperial Porcelain Factory's famous Kremlin Service commissioned by Nicholas I, and this may suggest an imperial origin for this piece. Alexander Adolfovich Treiden (1858-?) is one of the less well-known but distinctly important Russian jewelers. He is mentioned first in 1894 at Kaznacheishaya Street, and by 1896, he had his own workrooms and an impressive retail shop selling works in gold and diamonds on the Nevskii Prospect, at no. 42. Treiden served alongside Carl Blank as the two workmasters of the House of Carl August Hahn, one of Fabergé's chief rivals. Treiden's mark, AT is often mistaken for that of Fabergé workmasters Alfred Thieleman and Alexander Tillander, and many of his works have been misidentified over the years. Treiden's surviving objects display inventive and unusual techniques, such as the carefully executed three-dimensional champleve enamel of this piece executed in imitation of inset and polished hardstones. Masterpieces of Russian Enamel from an Important American Collection HID12401132022 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved