After Felix Chopin (French, Active Russia 1813-1892) Portrait Bust of Empress Anna I Ioannovna, circa 1867 Patinated bronze 10 inches (25.4 cm) With foundry stamp F. Shopen and patent stamp of the Ministry of Finance PROVENANCE: Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna; Prince Alexander Nikitich Romanoff; Princess Maria Romanoff. At the all-Russian Manufacturing Exhibition in 1849, the factory debuted a collection of the ancient sovereigns of Rus and the members of the Romanoff dynasty. This bust of Empress Anna Ioannovna was modeled in 1867 and cast slightly later. According to Princess Romanoff, this bust was the property of Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna, and passed to her grandson Prince Alexander upon her death in 1967. Felix Chopin was born April 21, 1813. His father was a Parisian bronzier called Julien Chopin. In 1838, Alexander Guerin invited Felix to Russia to take up management of an important St. Petersburg Bronze atelier. Soon, Chopin was producing high quality interior furnishings such as candelabras, paperweights, inkwells, desk accessories, and mounts for furniture. By the 1840s Chopin bought Guerin out of the business, and between 1840 and 1860 he began to receive large orders from the Imperial Court and the government for furnishings. Chopin received commissions for the Winter Palace, the Great Kremlin Place, and the bronze doors of both St. Isaac's Cathedral and the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Estate of Princess Maria Romanoff HID03101062020 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

Heritage Auctions strongly encourages in-person inspection of items by the bidder. Statements by Heritage regarding the condition of objects are for guidance only and should not be relied upon as statements of fact, and do not constitute a representation, warranty, or assumption of liability by Heritage. All lots offered are sold "AS IS"