Topics

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Imperial Russian Antiques / B. Henneberg, Warszawa INFO PLEASE

« on: March 14, 2007, 10:16:08 PM »

Slightly off the topic of Rusian antiques, but then again perhaps not really. Recently I obtained a lovely icon's lampada in brass. It was dated as 1880's. I found some markings inside the well that the seller didn't seem to know or care about:

at the top:          a diamond shape with the letter N inside

below that:         a horizontal oval that has in it
                         
                         B. HENNEBERG
                                  *                     <---- like an 8 petaled flower (or star)
                           WARSZAWA

to the left:           A

at the bottom:     another horizontal that has in it

                          GALW

B. Henneberg was a Jewish fine metal worker of the Victorian era working in Warsaw. His objects were popular in Russia and Germany as well as  Poland. It seems that after 1900 the marks included his affiliation with WMF. Most interestingly it also seems that at that point (after 1900) the 8 petaled flower (or star) became the Star of David!

Do any of our "experts" have further info to share? Can anyone identify the other markings I have listed? I would also be most curious as to the lampada's worth. It is in nearly flawless condition with just a slight piece of the lip's rolled edge missing - lipitself is intact. It has the original 20" chains and hanging ring.

Thanks as always!

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The Final Chapter / Cathedral On The Blood

« on: February 07, 2006, 02:08:41 AM »

(site of the former Ipatiev House, House of special Purpose)

Except for pictures of the construction or the outside of the finished cathedral, has anyone ever seen pictures of the inside? Has anyone ever visited and seen the inside?

Isn't there also a church at the Pig Meadow site?

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Their World and Culture / Russian Christmas

« on: December 17, 2005, 12:27:00 PM »

This being the Christmas season I was wondering if anyone would like to share stories about Christmas in Russia.

Part of Christmas is St. Nicholas whose feast day has just past or just coming depending on which calendar you follow.

There is a wonderful story of St. Nicholas as Bishop of Myra. In his town there was a man with 3 daughters who had no money for dowries. In desperation the father thought he might have to sell his eldest daughter into prostitution to raise money for the other 2 dowries.

On the night before the deed was to be done a small sack with gold coins came through the man's window. The girl was saved and a dowry provided. This scenario was repeated for each of the girls. On the night before the last girl was to be sold, the man decided to sleep under the window that he might learn who his anonymous benefactor was.

When the coins came through the window, hitting him in the head, he got up quickly and ran outside chasing after the mysterious benefactor. When the father caught up to him and looked under his cover - there was St. Nicholas.

As a result, St. Nicholas is said to keep people in desperate money situations out of trouble. The 3 sets of gold coins evolved into the 3 gold balls being the traditonal sign of the pawnbroker.

As a remembrance of this story I always hang 3 gold balls together at the top of the tree to honor St. Nicholas and ask his blessings upon my home!

4

The Final Chapter / photos of the servants

« on: November 18, 2005, 05:52:49 PM »

are there any known photos of Khartinitov the cook and Trupp the valet?