"A fashion for snuffboxes spread through Russia in the late 17th and 18th centuries. Russian Empress Catherine II collected them passionately, compiling one of the richest sections of her Gallery of Objets de Vertu. Many of her snuffboxes were decorated with cameos and grisaille painting, creating an illusory effect of relief. The Empress herself called her passion for cameos "an illness". Scharff used painting to imitate a cameo with a portrait of Count Alexey Orlov (1737-1807), shown as an Ancient hero in a helmet and armour. This medallion serves as a lid over another miniature showing a young man with a star and the Order of the White Eagle, possibly Alexander Dmitriyev-Mamonov, one of Catherine's favourites." - The Hermitage

Hi everyone,

Would love your thoughts on this antique gold Russian brooch. Please visit the link for more information and photos.

Thank you!

"This display case is illustrative of the 'Europeanisation' trends in the art of Russian furniture making, from a closed rectangular cabinet to an open case with glass doors and a curved top. This display case shows pieces of glassware, porcelain and faience dating back to the first quarter of the 18th century." - Hermitage Museum