Imperial Russia Imperial Russian miniature decorations

[larsb001]

I am an avid collector of miniature decorations and have been so for the past 25 years. One of the advantages of collecting miniatures is that they are not copied - or so I thought!

A fine miniature Bravery sword with 4 decorations was posted on the US eBay site a few days ago. We all know that these are quite rare, so I instantly bookmarked that auction. Here's the fine sword:

Today another of these rare Bravery swords appeared on the German eBay site, here's the image of that one:

Do you see any similarities, I do, but I may just be paranoid!

[larsb001]

A German dealer who specializes in jewellery was very lucky about 1? year ago. A person came into his shop and sold him a set of 4 fine Russian miniature decorations, all in Gold and enamel, here's the set he bought:

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2009/post-4854-1242162374.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2009/post-4854-1242162387.jpg

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2009/post-4854-1242162455.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2009/post-4854-1242162465.jpg

[larsb001]

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2009/post-4854-1242162570.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2009/post-4854-1242162578.jpg

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2009/post-4854-1242162715.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2009/post-4854-1242162695.jpg

[larsb001]

The German dealer instantly listed these fine decorations on eBay and sold them all for some quite high prices! But the same dealer was even more lucky, because two months later another person came into his shop and sold him a completely identical set of miniatures - those was also listed on eBay and again they sold for high prices. His luck didn't ended there because another two months later a third person came into his shop and sold him a third set of completely identical miniatures which was also listed on eBay.

Now things changed a little because a forth person came into his shop and sold some more miniatures, but they differs a little, this is one of them:

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2009/post-4854-1242163077.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2009/post-4854-1242163090.jpg

Note that the suspension have changed a little although the badge itself is identical to the one above (note the non painted reverse medaillion).

At the exactly same time he also bought another Saint George, this time a screw back version - but the averse resembles the above quite well:

At the same time the same type Saint Stanislaus started to appear on eBay offered by French, Israeli, German and UK based dealers, here's one of them:

[larsb001]

At the same time a fine Bravery sword was offered by a Auction House which I normally would say is serious, here's the sword:

Now, have we seen similar miniatures before? Note the non painted reverse of the Wladimir, the thick green enamelled surround of the Stanislaus etc.

Of course all of the above is sold as 100% original period items and maybe they are, maybe I'm just paranoid?

During the past 20 years or so I have had alot of miniatures of Saint Anne and Saint Stanislaus through my hands, lets say appr. 20 of each. What I can see from my files is that they were all different!

[larsb001]

Another Russian miniature is the extremely rare Saint Anne 5th class medal (or is it 4th class?) - in this case for non-christians. One appeared in a fine contemporary chain which sold for 625 euro on the German eBay site, I assume this is also appr. 1? ago:

Since that chain sold I have seen appr. 10 of these extremely rare awards on the various eBay sites, again offered by French, UK, Israeli, German and US based dealers - although I don't have the pics anymore.

Does anybody here have the same suspicion as me - high quality copies in gold and enamel - or again, am I just paranoid?

I will not mention the various miniature medals that have started to appear on esp. the German eBay offered by two different dealers, one who lists them as "new" and another who tends to forget that word - but seems to have a massive volume of 5 different miniature medals.

[Guest Rick Research]

:Cat-Scratch:

for bringing this to our attention.

[Theodor]

What a happy coincidence, all Russian miniatures have slept till now in old boxes, drawers, attics and suddenly all appear for sale :cheers:

[Kris D]

It's not just Russian ones, here's a Polish set currently up on ebay.

[Carol I]

And another miniature group on sword

[larsb001]

Yes, indeed a nice miniature sword, but in this case an 100% original piece which I have had the pleasure of having in my hands many many times! Unfortunately someone wanted it more than I - or was willing to pay more than I was.

Lars

[Carol I]

Yes, indeed a nice miniature sword, but in this case an 100% original piece which I have had the pleasure of having in my hands many many times! Unfortunately someone wanted it more than I - or was willing to pay more than I was.

Sorry to hear about that, Lars. Maybe you'll have better luck next time.

[karakas7]

if you want sold it - write me to karakas7@rambler.ru

Regards