The Sazikov jewellery shop was founded in Moscow in 1793 by Pavel Fedorovich Sazikov. In 1810 he started a silverware factory and opened a jewellery shop. In 1830 he was succeeded by his son Ivan Pavlovich (1793-1868), who by the mid-19th century had earned a reputation as an outstanding jeweller.
In addition to his excellent technique, his success also stemmed from keeping up to date with technological developments, such as the purchase of modern equipment and the implementation of Western technologies. He was the first in Russia to purchase an arabesque machine that arrived in Moscow from France in 1843. In order to make his business unique – which was constantly developing and expanding (he opened a shop in St Petersburg in 1842) – Ivan Sazikov invited famous sculptors and painters to collaborate on his designs and the creation of new models: Ivan Vitali, Peter Clodt von and Fedor Solntsev were among them.
In the mid-19th century, Sazikov’s jewellery was considered one of the best in Russia, the guardian of the Russian style in the art of jewellery making, which in addition to the basic techniques of goldsmithing, such as chiselling and casting, included the supreme use of enamel, engraving and niello. This earned him the Gold Medal at the 1851 London World’s Fair and the Legion of Honour at the 1867 Paris World’s Fair.
In the section dedicated to Russian Icons and Objects of Russian Art of the Milan Silver Auction of 23 June 2022, there will be an icon issued by the Sazikov workshop in St. Petersburg in 1879, depicting St. Alexander Nevsky, with a partially gilded silver riza, with the imperial insignia stamp, which will be sold with an estimate of €4,500 – €5,500 (lot 219).
A Russian of “St. Alexander Nevsky” with parcel silver-gilt oklad, St. Petersburg, 1879, marks of Sakirov with Imperial Warrant. Estimate € 4.500 – 5.500