oval, the bowl chased and repoussé with the Imperial double-headed eagle with the monogram of Empress Elizabeth on its chest encircled by laurel wreath, the sides engraved with cartouches framing a series of Russian inscriptions recording Empress Elizabeth's presentation of this kovsh on 28 July 1744 to the starshin of the Don Cossack host Pantelei Selivanov for his faithful service, the prow with double-headed eagle finial, the handle replaced with a later engraved handle centering a medallion of the Empress under a canopy-form border, struck with the Cyrillic initials IAV of an unidentified master (Postnikova-Loseva, nos. 2538 and 2539)

Pantelei Selivanov
By descent within the family
Vladimir Nikolaevich [Trotskii-]Seniutovitch (1877-1957)
Thence by descent

the prow with cracking and some areas of loss, particularly at one corner, the handle possibly strengthened, the gilding rubbed, some rubbing to the inscriptions
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 offered Imperial presentation kovsh has a rare provenance: it has remained with the descendants of the original recipient, Don Cossack starshin Pantelei Selivanov since it was awarded in 1744. Selivanov, who is recalled in numerous 18th-century sources, is said to have continued to serve well into his old age, taking part in the Siege of Ochakov in 1788. By 1917, Vladimir Trotskii-Seniutovich, a petroleum engineer who worked for the Nobel Company, had inherited the kovsh and took it with him when he and his family went into exile. On the 18th-century practice of awarding presentation kovshi to Cossack leaders, see A. von Solodkoff, Russian Gold and Silverwork, 17-19 Century, NY, 1981, pp. 85-86.