Author Topic: Alexandra's mezzanine nook...  (Read 21129 times)

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Offline BobAtchison

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Re: Alexandra's mezzanine nook...
« Reply #30 on: September 06, 2008, 10:17:09 AM »
More on the marble colums of the New Study... There were 5 in one set and 3 in another.  They were ordered from Nassauische Marmorwerke , a marble working firm located in Nassau Villmar on der Lahn in Germany.  The pillars were ordered through the Anton Ohlert, a company with operations in germany and Russia.

There were quarries at Villmar, but I was told the marble was from quarries in Austria.  The factory began work in the 1800's and I believe it is still in business.  in 1900 the company was famous for its production of speciality shapes and a huge variety of stones.  Through their equipment and the skill of their workers they produced many marble pieces in Art Nouveau style.  Meltzer ordered from them because they had a fast turn-around time and guaranteed safe delivery.  The columns cost over 3,000 marks, but I am not sure of the exact cost because the receipts here are hard to understand.

Anton Ohlert was a Russian merchant who was born in Russia in 1840 to a family of German origin. he arranged for the sale of Russian commodities like fur and timber for transport to Germany.  His Berlin ofice was opened in 1871. Ohlert was the exclusive representive of Singer in Russia and he built and operated the first Singer factory in Russia in the city of Podolsk.  He sold the firm in 1900 to the Ulrich family, who still run the company today in Germany.  The company halted its operations in Russia during WWI and ended them altogetehr during the revolution.  Later in the 1920's the company entered into deals with the young Soviet Government.

Bob

Robert_Hall

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Re: Alexandra's mezzanine nook...
« Reply #31 on: September 06, 2008, 10:34:02 AM »
Very interesting, BobA.  Did he also build & own the famous Singer building on Nevski Prospeskt?

Offline BobAtchison

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Re: Alexandra's mezzanine nook...
« Reply #32 on: September 07, 2008, 11:56:46 AM »
I don't know.... good question...

Offline Douglas

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Re: Alexandra's mezzanine nook...
« Reply #33 on: September 07, 2008, 12:27:06 PM »
Singer Company
was first represented in Russia by Max Fiedler, and since 1877 - by the Trading House of G. Neidlinger (Germany). In 1897 a Russian affiliate Singer Manufacturing Company was established (since 1901 it was called Singer Stock Company). Originally the company office was located at 40 Kazanskaya Street. In 1902-04 the building of the company headquarters was constructed according to the project of architect P.Y. Suzor at 28 Nevsky Prospect (today Dom Knigi (The House of Books).

Today this building is known as the House of Books and is the largest book store in the city.  The address is 28 Nevsky Prospect.
« Last Edit: September 07, 2008, 12:32:07 PM by Douglas »

Petrushka

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Re: Alexandra's mezzanine nook...
« Reply #34 on: September 09, 2008, 04:55:35 AM »
Sorry if I'm being very stupid - I'm confused!!! The photo of the mezzanine from the Maple Room clearly shows a large window underneath the 'mezz' at left.  I cannot understand how there could have been a window there?  there is a room on either side and the corridor behind?  This is really bugging me - can anyone explain what it is or am I just looking at it wrongly????

Offline David_Newell

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Re: Alexandra's mezzanine nook...
« Reply #35 on: September 09, 2008, 06:04:15 AM »
Yes that is correct the window is o0n the left, the mezzanine backed onto the Empress' corner drawing room. So this is correct. On the right is the corridor and then the new study.