Grand Duke Dimitri 1934 Trophy... Look at this!

[GDDimitri]

Dear Members,

I inherited this beautiful silver plated trophy from my grand uncle Mr. Jean Meeus in the late 70's. It was given by the Grand Duke in person to my uncle in july 1934  at a very select clay bird shooting event in Havrincourt, France. 

The overall impression this trophy creates is one of splendour and admiration as the beautiful Art Déco-style is truly impressive in size and shape (about 50 cm in height). Because of this unique shape, I'm convinced it was made on special order on a design made by the Grand Duke himself. I have no clue as who the maker could be, as there are no visible stamps on it. Could it be made by Fabergé? Maybe I should dismantle the wooden base to take a look underneath.

The Grand Duke Dimitri apparently had a "soft spot" for design. It's a proven fact he was very talented in this field as he created the flask for Chanel's N°5, which is  after all one of the world's most famous perfumes! I'm truly proud of owning this Imperial object, first of all because it's beautiful as such, but also because of it's history, which is quite unique.

The reason I'm posting this thread is to ask for help regarding all the symbols it carries, like the egg shape, the rooster etc. Please feel free to share your toughts on this imperial antique object.

Why do you think it is "egg shaped"?
What's the meaning of the rooster on top?

The text goes as follows:

Le Touquet Paris Plage
Grand Prix d'Havrincourt
- 7 juillet 1934 -
Coupe de S.A.I. le Grand Duc Dimitri
Gagnée par Mr. Jean Meeus

[GDDimitri]

Here's a picture of Jean Meeus, taken at another shooting event in the 30's.

[Thomas_Hesse]

Thank you for sharing that interesting piece of yours!

As for the design: if you say that it was given to honor the first price at a bird shooting, well, that is obviously the explanation for the rooster on top of the piece - it is the symbol for aviculture!
The egg-shaped form might be also due to the connection of the price with birds. Judging by the photo it seems to be a goblet/tankard as one can lift up the lid. It is an old tradition dating back to the 16th century (at least in Germany) to present a winner a goblet filled with wine - it was the sign of royal approval and estimation. Doubly, as the person would get the precious vessel as a present!

I don't think that it was made by Fabergé for they hardly made items out of pure silver like this one. Also the design is very untypically for Fabergé and any master of that famous workshop would definitely have left his mark on such a piece.
I'd not try and remove the wooden base! Leave it like it is - else you'd diminish its value! Show it to an expert - Sotheby's or Christie's perhaps!

[GDDimitri]

Many thanks for your interesting reply. I understand the link you make with the rooster and the "clay bird shooting", but I don't think it it's correct. Clay birds are like small dishes made of clay and have no connection at all with wildlife.  I guess you're right about Fabergé. I checked the wooden base, it's fixed with a simple bolt and can be dismantled without any damage. I'll take pictures of that.

[Alixz]

It is interesting that it says par or by instead of pour or for your Grand Uncle.

The Grand Duke Dmitri Gagnee?  Is Gagnee a name or is it translatable?

Also what it the Cross S.A.I.?

[Robert_Hall]

Gagmee means won by, SAI is son altese imperial- his imperial highness. At least those are my thoughts. I also doubt is is Faberge, as  they ceased business in 1918. It could be something Dimitry won earlier or donated from his own collection, whatever survived of it. But it just "look" like a Faberge piece to me.

[Forum Admin]

It is interesting that it says par or by instead of pour or for your Grand Uncle.

The Grand Duke Dmitri Gagnee?  Is Gagnee a name or is it translatable?

Also what it the Cross S.A.I.?

Le Touquet Paris Plage
Grand Prix d'Havrincourt
- 7 juillet 1934 -
Coupe de S.A.I. le Grand Duc Dimitri
Gagnée par Mr. Jean Meeus


Le Touquet Paris, Beach (or shoreline, this is a place)
Grand Prix d'Havrincourt (the Grand Prize of Havrincourt)
July 7, 1934
Cup of His Imperial Highness Grand Duke Dmitri
Won by Mr. Jean Meeus

There is no way shape or manner that this was made by Faberge, who was long out of business by then.  The "football" or egg shape is typical of Art Deco forms of the period. 

[GDDimitri]

Dear Members,

Many thanks for the numerous replies, I didn't know the egg shape was typical for the ART DECO-style. I was hoping there was some kind of symbolic connection between the Imperial Russian family, the Fabergé eggs and this Egg-shaped trophy. It's a lot of coincidences...

I fully understand the engraved text, as French is my language so there's no problem with that.

I mean there are millions of trophies of that period which are NOT shaped like an egg and, correct me if I'm wrong, but my guess is that this specially made trophy was formed according to the Grand Duke's own design. But then again, why an EGG? Amongst the Imperial presents, eggs were always present... I mean there must be 1000's of different shapes to choose from and here we have an "EGG" offered by an Imperial Russian Aristocrat! 

I'm sure there must be some kind of symbolism in it.

[Robert_Hall]

Is the rooster also a symbol of France? I see it on the French national football team  jerseys. And could the egg  shape also be  the shape of a rugby ball?  Would help to know just what type of tournement this was? I did check with Google search and all they have to say of the area is that it is known for  hunting and fishing.

[Greenowl]

Yes, the rooster is a symbol of France and the idea of the cup being in the shape of a rugby ball is good, but I understood that the cup was presented for clay pigeon shooting or some gun-related sport...

[Robert_Hall]

Well, shooting some rugby fans may qualify!

[Alixz]

Lord Hall - You have become quite cynical in your present form!   ;-)

Shooting Rugby fans - indeed!!   :-)

I think it is a very lovely example of Art Deco - which I love.  Since the rooster is a symbol of France - we have that one covered.  The egg shape?  It is an eternal and very visible shape in all art.  The egg is considered to be the perfect shape by some.

It is silver plated - which Faberge never did and as FA pointed out - they were not in business after 1918. So that lets that one out. (I probably shouldn't say "never did" as someone is sure to find a example.  I know that Faberge did "gild" other metals - but again they were not in business at this time.)

What provenance did you have to show that Grand Duke Dmitri designed the trophy himself?  Or is that just a family tradition handed down to you with the trophy?

No matter - it is a lovely piece even though it has lost some of its silver plating and you are truly lucky to have it!!

"The egg has enjoyed a long and recurrent role in the history of art. The egg as icon is symbolic of regeneration and new life. The egg yolk has provided the medium to fix pigment for over two millenia. And the egg’s shape has had lasting influence on the decorative arts."

http://madsilence.wordpress.com/2007/09/03/the-art-of-the-egg/

[Robert_Hall]

Alixz, notice I did say "some" fans [and not a few players I might add!] But I am actually getting to appreciate rugby. The French team regularly beats the English, but then, most do, and THEY invented the game!
 I  like Art Deco as well. always have.
 I think we may never know the provenance of this trophy; the various scenarios are all compelling.
 Considering the time, Dimitri was married to a rather wealthy woman  then, he may well have donated the item. Perhaps it was something given to him and he no longer found it useful?
 In searching  just about everywhere I can can think of,  a certain Count Havrincourt was instrumental in the 1900 Paris Olympics, sailing I think, so there may be a connection there. As I recall, Dimitri was  fond of that sport as well. When he could afford it, that is.

[GDDimitri]

What provenance did you have to show that Grand Duke Dmitri designed the trophy himself?  Or is that just a family tradition handed down to you with the trophy?

No matter - it is a lovely piece even though it has lost some of its silver plating and you are truly lucky to have it!!


The reason I think this trophy was designed by the Grand Duke Dimitri is due to the very particular shape, which is not a common shape for a Trophy. I don't think this was a standard made item waiting in a shop to be bought by the Grand Duke. I guess the Trophy for the "Coupe de SAI le Grand Duc Dimitri" which was to be handed over by the GD himself, must have been something the GD appreciated by himself. As he already designed some items before (Chanel) there's a great probability he had this Trophy made according to his taste.  I don't think he would have his name engraved on anything else but a "top of the line" trophy such as "his" one.

The "clay bird shooting" thing is apparently not clear to some. It's a common practice in hunting circles which serves as a practice to enhance one's shooting skills by shooting at small clay dishes which are catapulted into several directions. The shooter has to be quick and accurate to shoot on the 'flying' clay. Good hunters manage to have an accuracy of 100/100 and this practice turned into organised contests such as the "Coupe de SAI le Grand Duc Dimitri". It was, just as with many other sports, a very classy one in the beginning.

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[Alixz]

I have been looking for references that Grand Duke Dmitri designed for Chanel, but have yet to find any.

Her first bottle is attributed to Sem, whoever that is.

Others think that the bottle is designed to mirror the shape of the Place Vendrome

http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc306.html

According to another site   "All Chanel perfumes appear in the signature Chanel bottle based on the original Sem design."

"Earlier Chanel bottles were made by Verreries Brosse and the bases will be embossed with a VB or BR logo."

Check out this site     http://www.toutenparfum.com/historique/chanel/chanel.en.php

I had no idea that the proportions of the bottle had changed so much during the 20th century.  But to me, the 1950s bottle has the most perfect proportions and the nicest presentation.