The work of the 20th century illustrator and stage designer Ivan Bilibin had a profound influence on Russian artists and craftsmen of the period, clearly seen in this Fabergé silver cigarette case (Moscow, 1908-17) which features in the next Russian Works of Art auction at Doyle, New York, on May 25.
In keeping with the wider trend in the Russian visual arts in the early 20th century, the case draws its inspiration from traditional Russian folklore. Sadko, the principal character in a medieval Russian bylina, or epic poem, who is a gusli musician, merchant and adventurer from the city of Novgorod, is depicted on the cover in a design closely following the work of Bilibin in the style, detailed costume and sense of place.
It features a gold-mounted sapphire push-piece and comes to auction from a prominent Virginia collection. It is estimated at $10,000-15,000.
Shell Poster at Doyle
During the 1930s Shell followed in the footsteps of the London Underground and invited progressive artists of the time to design a poster campaign, carrying simple advertising messages for the company.
Paul Nash was one of the leading artists involved in the campaign, masterminded by John Betjeman and his boss in the Shell PR department, Jack Beddington. Other artists involved included John Piper, Vanessa Bell, Ben Nicholson and Graham Sutherland. Their designs made the campaign one of the highlights of the history of advertising art.
One of its themes was the association of the company and its reliability with nature and the English countryside, which can be seen in Nash’s Everywhere You Go / You Can Be Sure of Shell / The Rye Marshes (1932), depicting the artist’s local East Sussex landscape.
It will feature alongside other examples of great early 20th century British design in Swann Galleries’ next Graphic Design auction on May 25, and is estimated at $1500-2000. The sale also includes works by Edward McKnight Kauffer and Michael English.
By Katherine Boyle
