Tsar Alexander I of Russia, by Bossi

Description

Miniature portrait, in the original ormolu frame, circa 1805
14.9cm x 14.1cm, the miniature 6.8cm x 5.2cm

Heavy, square ormolu frame of exceptional quality with suspension loop; a wide outer boarder with rose flowers and leaves in relief, the oval portrait set within a plain square field is flanked by a laurel and oak wreath and surmounted by the Russian Imperial crown.

Laurel and oak symbolise martial victory and wisdom, the rose love and beauty.

The most talented Russian bronziers who worked for the Imperial Court were Friedrich Bergenfeldt (1768-1822) and Andrei Schreiber (cf Igor Sychev, Russian Bronze, Moscow, 2002).

For a signed version of this portrait by Domenico Bossi see Istorija Rossii v portretakh. Chastnoe sobranie russkoj miniatjury kontsa XVII-XIX veka (История России в портретах. Частное собрание русской миниатюры конца XVII-XIX века), Sepherot Foundation, Moscow 2010, p. 145