A CARVED IVORY MEDALLION OF EMPRESS CATHERINE THE GREAT

The centre intricately carved in relief with a profile of Empress Catherine II as Minerva, mounted on velvet in a circular wood frame, 13cm diameter

The intricately carved pierced foliate rocaille work of the background to this medallion relates to the output associated with the north westerly Russian workshops of Kholmogory. This small settlement possessed a thriving ivory and bone carving industry from the whaling activities at Archangelsk, set on the shores of the White Sea leading to the Barents Sea. 

Condition report:

- Some loss of carving below the the hair
- Numerous glue repairs and small cracks
- See additional images