Emperor Alexander I: Gold-Mounted Hardstone and Wire Mesh Mourning Necklace
Russian or French, circa 1825
Fitted at intervals with hardstone medallions depicting classical and mythological figures and masks, the reverse of the clasp inscribed in French: Notre Ange / est au Ciel. / le 19 Novembre / 1825. In a later fitted case. Length 16 inches (40.6 cm), opened.

Provenance:
By repute, the Argutinsky-Dolgorukov family.
A gift from the above to the family of the present owner.

November 19, 1825 marks the date of death of Emperor Alexander I of Russia (1777-1825).

Alexander died suddenly of typhus in the distant Russian city of Taganrog on the Sea of Azov, where he and Empress Elizabeth Alekseevna (1779-1826) had been staying as she recuperated from illness. The remains of the emperor were sent from Taganrog to Moscow for several days, before arriving in St. Petersburg for a funeral procession to the Peter and Paul Fortress.

Russian memoirist, Vladimir Alexandrovich Sollogub (1813-1882), recounted that Empress Elizabeth Alekseevna received a letter from Empress Maria Feodorovna (1759-1828), mother of Alexander I, which began with the words: "Notre ange est au ciel" (Our angel is in heaven). These words quickly spread throughout Russia and were printed in obituaries and engraved on mourning jewelry, such as the present lot.

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