Art News

Two important imperial albums belonging to the Grand Duchess of Russia to be offered by Bonhams

LONDON.- Two lavishly illustrated inventories of jewellery belonging to Ksenia Aleksandrovna, the Grand Duchess of Russia, are highlights of the Russian Sale, taking place on the 30th November 2011 at Bonhams, New Bond Street. As the daughter of Tsar Aleksander III and sister of Nicholas II, Grand Duchess Ksenia led a privileged life and the two volumes of almost a 1,000 entries form an itemised record of jewellery she received from 1880- 1912. Estimated to sell for £150,000 – 250,000 they provide a fascinating insight into the private wealth of the Romanovs, their personal taste and family relationships. The albums served her as a personal, visual diary and are almost completely unrelated to political circumstances