Skip to main content
Bonhams
Search

This auction has ended. View lot details

You may also be interested in

A Jacobite concealed portrait snuff box18th century
A 15th century carved limestone figure of St George

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

A Derby centrepieceCirca 1765
A pair of mid 16th century Italian patinated and parcel gilt bronze angel candlesticks Probably Tuscan and in the manner of Domenico Becafumi (1484-1551)
A Renaissance Florentine panel woven in silks and metal threadMid 15th century, probably for a Dalmatic garment
A 16th century tapestry fragment Formerly part of a larger tapestry in Gerona Cathedral
A set of three Holkham Pottery wine jugs Third quarter 20th century
An extremely rare early 17th century Dutch black, red and gilt japanned casketProbably attributable to Willem Kick (Dutch, 1579-1647)
A carved limestone bust of a kingProbably late 14th/early 15th century, and later
A rare and impressive Charles II leaded bronze 'York' mortar Made for Roger Warde, apothecary, and dated 1684, together with a large associated cast iron pestle
A collection of four commemorative glass bowls and plates including for the Coronation of King George VI Second quarter 20th century and earlier
A late 18th/early 19th century Italian relief carved and part stained wood oval profile portrait plaque depicting a classical warrior maiden, perhaps Minerva Possibly attributable to the workshop of Giuseppe Maria Bonzanigo (Italian, 1745–1820)
Of Grand Tour interest: A collection of six trays of 19th century plaster intagliosProbably from the workshop of Pietro Paoletti (Rome, 1801-1847)
Francesco Righetti I (Italian, 1738-1819): A patinated bronze figure of the Apollo BelvedereAfter the antique, Roman, the cast dated 1787
After Pierre Lepautre (French, 1659-1744) and François Girardon (French, 1628-1714): A patinated bronze figural group of 'Aeneas carrying Anchises'French, probably first half early 19th century
A rare French gilt copper and champlevé enamel crozier finial depicting St Michael slaying the devil as a dragon Limoges, 1220-1230
A rare French gilt copper and champlevé enamel book or Evangeliary cover depicting the Crucifixion Limoges, circa 1190-1200
A white metal shell and dolphin salt given to Lady Glenconner by Princess Margaret
A French gilt copper and champleve enamel oval plaque of the angelLimoges, 19th century
A pair of mother of pearl, yellow metal and gem-set dishes given to Lady Glenconner by Imelda Marcos during a visit to the Philippines
An early 19th century satin-birch, 'mulberry wood', ebonised and mother of pearl vanity and sewing box
A French second half 19th century red stained tortoiseshell, cut brass inlaid and gilt metal mounted 'Boulle' casket Circa 1870
Sir Alfred Gilbert, M.V.O., R.A (British 1854-1934): a patinated bronze figure of 'An Offering to Hymen'
A silvered bronze cockatoo Early 20th century, probably Austrian
Previous Lot
Next Lot
A late 17th-century Russian iron-bound and leather-clad oak chest Vologda Oblast, circa 1680 image 1
A late 17th-century Russian iron-bound and leather-clad oak chest Vologda Oblast, circa 1680 image 2
A late 17th-century Russian iron-bound and leather-clad oak chest Vologda Oblast, circa 1680 image 3
A late 17th-century Russian iron-bound and leather-clad oak chest Vologda Oblast, circa 1680 image 4
A late 17th-century Russian iron-bound and leather-clad oak chest Vologda Oblast, circa 1680 image 5
Lot 93TP

A late 17th-century Russian iron-bound and leather-clad oak chest
Vologda Oblast, circa 1680

Fine Decorative Arts
1 July 2025, 14:00 BST
London, New Bond Street

£10,000 - £12,000

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our Home and Interiors specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

Ask about this lot

A late 17th-century Russian iron-bound and leather-clad oak chest

Vologda Oblast, circa 1680
Of elliptical arched rectangular form, the lid and front with close-nailed decorative formalised scroll-pierced strapwork decoration, the sides similarly decorated and with twin carrying handles, the right-hand side with lid stay, the front with ring handle above a scroll-pierced cartouche lock plate with key, the rear with plain straps, the interior features with probably 18th century painted decoration beneath the lid, overpainted with a later heraldic device: the coat of arms of the Swedish noble Stenbock family, above a scroll paper motto SEMPER.IN.ALTIS. The Stenbock family's military legacy includes Count Magnus Stenbock's participation in the Battle of Narva (1700), fought against Russian forces during the Great Northern War, 64cm high, 80cm wide, 54cm deep

Footnotes

The offered lot is an example of a Russian leather clad chest originating from Veliky Ustyug, a historic centre of craft and trade in the Vologda region, renowned for the production of leather clad wooden chests. This uncommon form of decoration, given that most chests were painted, employed tanned, dyed, and often embossed leather coverings. These surfaces were typically adorned with traditional Russian motifs such as floral and geometric patterns, stylised animals, and symbolic or religious imagery. The leather cladding served not only an aesthetic purpose but also a practical one, offering protection against moisture and wear, thereby extending the chest's longevity. It was sometimes further embellished with painted decoration in the more traditional style. Metal fittings, including wrought iron or brass hinges and mounts, added structural integrity and ornamental detail.

Previously believed to be English and dating from the mid-17th century, more recent research has confirmed its Russian origins, dating it to a slightly later date when this attribution was verified by the curatorial staff at the State Historical Museum, Moscow. In additional a directly comparable chest is in the museum's collection, which exhibits similar construction techniques and decoration which is similarly attributed and dated (see Inventory No: ГИМ 2584щ Д-IV-1611 ГК 17658588). Other examples are preserved within the Museum's holdings, notably from the P. I. Schukin (or Shchukin) collection. Pavel Ivanovich Schukin (1848–1899), a prominent Russian merchant and collector from the influential Schukin family, assembled a significant collection of Russian applied and decorative arts, including leather clad chests, iconography, textiles, and folk art. His collection was later donated or acquired by Russian state institutions, with the State Historical Museum now holding a substantial portion.

Chests such as the offered lot were regarded as high status objects, frequently included in bridal dowries or used as ceremonial furnishings in affluent households, symbolising wealth and social standing. Their robust construction made them ideal for storing precious textiles, documents, or valuables.

The present chest's unusual inclusion of a Swedish heraldic device to the interior lid introduces a rare intersection of northern European military and noble histories around the turn of the 18th century, illuminating its cross-cultural significance. As such it represents an exceptional survival of late 17th-century Russian craftsmanship, imbued with broader historical narratives.

Additional information

Bid now on these items

A Jacobite concealed portrait snuff box18th century
A 15th century carved limestone figure of St George
A Derby centrepieceCirca 1765
A pair of mid 16th century Italian patinated and parcel gilt bronze angel candlesticks Probably Tuscan and in the manner of Domenico Becafumi (1484-1551)
A Renaissance Florentine panel woven in silks and metal threadMid 15th century, probably for a Dalmatic garment
A 16th century tapestry fragment Formerly part of a larger tapestry in Gerona Cathedral
A set of three Holkham Pottery wine jugs Third quarter 20th century
An extremely rare early 17th century Dutch black, red and gilt japanned casketProbably attributable to Willem Kick (Dutch, 1579-1647)
A carved limestone bust of a kingProbably late 14th/early 15th century, and later
A rare and impressive Charles II leaded bronze 'York' mortar Made for Roger Warde, apothecary, and dated 1684, together with a large associated cast iron pestle
A collection of four commemorative glass bowls and plates including for the Coronation of King George VI Second quarter 20th century and earlier
A late 18th/early 19th century Italian relief carved and part stained wood oval profile portrait plaque depicting a classical warrior maiden, perhaps Minerva Possibly attributable to the workshop of Giuseppe Maria Bonzanigo (Italian, 1745–1820)
Of Grand Tour interest: A collection of six trays of 19th century plaster intagliosProbably from the workshop of Pietro Paoletti (Rome, 1801-1847)
Francesco Righetti I (Italian, 1738-1819): A patinated bronze figure of the Apollo BelvedereAfter the antique, Roman, the cast dated 1787
After Pierre Lepautre (French, 1659-1744) and François Girardon (French, 1628-1714): A patinated bronze figural group of 'Aeneas carrying Anchises'French, probably first half early 19th century
A rare French gilt copper and champlevé enamel crozier finial depicting St Michael slaying the devil as a dragon Limoges, 1220-1230
A rare French gilt copper and champlevé enamel book or Evangeliary cover depicting the Crucifixion Limoges, circa 1190-1200
A white metal shell and dolphin salt given to Lady Glenconner by Princess Margaret
A French gilt copper and champleve enamel oval plaque of the angelLimoges, 19th century
A pair of mother of pearl, yellow metal and gem-set dishes given to Lady Glenconner by Imelda Marcos during a visit to the Philippines
An early 19th century satin-birch, 'mulberry wood', ebonised and mother of pearl vanity and sewing box
A French second half 19th century red stained tortoiseshell, cut brass inlaid and gilt metal mounted 'Boulle' casket Circa 1870
Sir Alfred Gilbert, M.V.O., R.A (British 1854-1934): a patinated bronze figure of 'An Offering to Hymen'
A silvered bronze cockatoo Early 20th century, probably Austrian