Internationale Orden & Militaria - A82

| 303 Alexey Nikolayevich Olenin (1763 – 1843) – a significant hunting hanger with a magni­ ficent blade, Zlatoust, circa 1820 The outstanding blade with fullers on both sides and a double-edged point. Etched floral decorations, partially gilt and blued. The back of the blade etched with the Cyrillic maker’s mark “Zlatoust”. The upper half of the blade with motifs from the Roman era, A. N. Olenin’s family coat of arms with the monogram “AO” in a laurel wreath under the crown on the obverse, an illegible manufac­ turer’s mark on the ricasso. The monogram “AO” in a laurel wreath on the reverse. Ivory grip with quillons and partially etched iron mounting, the pommel possibly of slightly later date. The scabbard with en suite-etched iron fittings and covered with ray skin, possibly original. Length 51.7 cm. C f . J. Okuntsov, Zlatoust Arms Factory, Moscow, published by “Vetsche” in 2011, p. 77 (I. Boyarshinov, a similar blade). Extremely rare. A. N. Olenin was a famous Russian statesman, historian, archaeologist and artist. State secre- tary (1814 – 1827) and subsequently a member of the State Council. Served as privy coun­ cillor. Honorary member of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences (1809), member (as of 1804) and, from 1817, president of the Imperi- al Academy of Arts. From 1811, he was direc- tor of the Imperial Public Library in St. Peters- burg. Promoted to colonel in 1795, he served as a general from 1807 – 1808. As the secretary of state, A. N. Olenin played a key role in the workings of the Russian state apparatus and represented the state at numerous important events. Olenin’s famous salon, which brought together well-known scientists and artists, figured prominently in the history of Russian culture. Guests included A. S. Pushkin, N. M. Karamzin, K. N. Batyushkov, O. A. Kipren- sky, F.P. Tolstoy, K. P. Bryullov, I. A. Krylov and N. I. Gneditch. Attention - shipping to non-EU countries subject to CITES 261798 II € 25.000 5449