Russian table to go under auctioneer’s hammer - September 28, 2010

A historic Russian table is expected to reach up to £200,000 when it goes up for auction for the first time.

The table, inset with coral and turquoise, was commissioned as a gift for Empress Alexandra, wife of Tsar Nicholas I.

It stood in the Golden Drawing Room of the Imperial Winter Palace, the main residence of the Russian imperial family in St Petersburg, for many years.

However, it was sold after the storming of the Winter Palace during the Russian Revolution, when many of the imperial family’s private rooms were stripped of furniture, and ended up in Germany.

Yelena Harbick, director of Russian fine and decorative arts at auctioneers Bonhams, said: “Items from former Russian imperial palaces are incredibly rare, and few come with such remarkably documented provenance.

“This table is an exceptional opportunity for international collectors to not only acquire a Russian decorative masterpiece, but to procure their very own piece of Russian history.”

The Golden Drawing Room had been used by the family for Christmas celebrations and to host private receptions. It now houses part of the Hermitage Museum’s collection.

Bonhams estimate the table will sell for between £150,000 and £200,000 when it goes under the hammer at their New Bond Street salesroom on December 1.