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Discover how the value of similar works has evolved over the past 10 years. Art is not only beauty — it's an investment.
A commemorative salt cellar executed in gilt brass, created in connection with the coronation festivities marking the accession of Emperor Alexander III. The body is formed as a stylised throne with a high openwork back, lending the object a pronounced symbolic character and emphasising its memorial function.
The backrest is finely engraved with the double-headed eagle of the House of Romanov, depicted with imperial regalia. The heraldic composition is complemented by decorative elements incorporating crosses and star motifs, forming a solemn and official visual programme. The architectural logic of the form is underlined by clear articulation of surfaces and rhythmic ornamental bands.
On the front of the base, a Cyrillic inscription “ВЪ ПАМЯТЬ СЕ” (“In Commemoration”) is engraved, a traditional formula used on objects produced for major state occasions. The upper section is fitted with a hinged lid, allowing the piece to be used for its intended purpose. The proportions are well balanced, and the silhouette is austere and monumental, in keeping with the official aesthetic of late Imperial Russian decorative arts.
Marks: None observed.
Dimensions: Height 13 cm; Length 10 cm.
Condition: Good. Gilding with an even, natural patina. Minor signs of age consistent with use. No deformations or losses.
Provenance: Coronation celebrations of Emperor Alexander III, Moscow, 1883.
The coronation of Emperor Alexander III, held on 15 May 1883 in the Dormition Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, represented a defining moment in the political and symbolic history of the late Russian Empire. Following the dramatic events of the early 1880s, the new reign sought to reaffirm the inviolability of autocracy, the sacred nature of imperial power, and the continuity of the Romanov dynasty. Moscow was deliberately chosen as the site of the ceremony, reinforcing the connection with ancient Russian statehood and traditional legitimacy.
A wide range of commemorative and functional objects was produced for the coronation festivities, intended for official presentation, ceremonial use, and distribution among participants and guests. Salt cellars, cups, dishes and other gilt-metal objects formed an important part of this material culture, combining practical function with explicit ideological symbolism. Their decoration followed a strict programme centred on state emblems, including the double-headed eagle, imperial crowns, monograms, and commemorative inscriptions.
The throne motif employed in this salt cellar carries clear allegorical significance, directly referencing supreme authority and the sacral nature of imperial rule. The use of gilt brass allowed for visually imposing and ceremonial objects that remained more accessible than pieces executed in silver or gold, thereby broadening their circulation. Today, such coronation salt cellars are regarded as significant artefacts of late Imperial decorative art and valuable material witnesses to the official culture and ritual practices of Alexander III’s reign.
Overall good condition. Surfaces display an even patina with minimal age-related wear. Engraving remains crisp and legible. Structure is stable and the hinged lid functions correctly.
The condition report is provided for informational purposes only.
It is not comprehensive and may not reflect all defects, restorations, alterations, or adaptations, as Antiqon does not perform professional conservation-level assessments. The information is based on a qualified, yet subjective, evaluation by our specialists.Before purchasing, we recommend consultation with an independent expert.Please also consult our Terms and conditions and Glossary A-Z, which contain important information on lot characteristics and sale conditions.
