depicting the Emperor wearing the Sash and Star of the Order of St. Andrew and a tri-corner hat

overall good condition; with some small scratches and discoloration to surface of bronze
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The Chopin foundry's series entitled "Gallery of Bronze Busts of Russian Grand Dukes, Tsars and Emperors" can be traced to the 1672 "Directory of Titles," which contained thirty illustrations of Russian rulers, and which was used by the Italian sculptor Agostino Penna as  the basis for his series of sixty-one busts of rulers ranging from Rurik to Paul I. Chopin discovered this series in Moscow in 1843 and reissued a bronze version for the 1849 All-Russian exhibition. In 1866, he advertised a subscription to the series, hoping to produce three busts per month for ten silver roubles per copy between March 1867 and October 1868. The works, whose popularity and affordability was heightened by Chopin's decision to scale down the models, were made from patinated or ormolu bronze.