OVAL BOX WITH MEDAL COMMEMORATING THE 1774 PEACE WITH THE OTTOMAN PORTE

Creator(s): Unknown (Silversmith) , Timofe Ivanovich Ivanov (Medalist)

Currently in storage

About this object

The cover is set with an impression or casting of a medal depicting a half-length portrait of Catherine the Great in profile wearing fish-scale armor (suggesting Minerva), a crown, and laurel wreath, an inscription around it and the artist's name. The background of the rest of the cover has a ribbon design and an acanthus leaf border. The sides have similar designs broken by four panels with military trophies. On the bottom is an impression or casting of the other half of the medal. Against the background of a harbor, Minerva stands in fish-scale armor and Roman helmet. She holds a spear in her proper left hand and points with a caduceus (in her proper right hand) towards a Russian naval vessel. In the foreground at left stands a pedestal supporting banners, war trophies and a shield decorated with the double-headed eagle. At the base of the pedestal are three shields on which can be read the Cyrillic KER, KI, and ENI. These are abbreviations of the names of the Turkish fortified cities of Kerch, Kinburn, and Enikale, all of which were defeated by Russian forces. A large cannon, shot, a drum, a wheel from a gun-carriage, and a quiver with arrows are scattered in the space between Minerva and the pedestal. Interior is gilded.

Object name:

OVAL BOX WITH MEDAL COMMEMORATING THE 1774 PEACE WITH THE OTTOMAN PORTE

Made from:

Silver gilt

Made in:

Russia

Date made:

after 1774

Size:

3.8 × 9.8 × 7.6 cm (1 1/2 × 3 7/8 × 3 in.)

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:

12.69

Class:

SILVER

Signature marks:

inscription [Cyrillic] B.M. EKATERINA II IMPERAT I SAMODERZH VSEROSSIIS In Cyrillic caps around profile portrait on top. Trans: By God's grace Catherine II Empress and Autocrat of all the Russia inscription [Cyrillic] TIMOFEI IVANOV Underneath the bust on top of box. Artist who designed the medal on which the box's design is based. marks [illegible] Inside top of box. Remains of two effaced hallmarks. inscription [Cyrillic] TVERDOSTIIU RAZUMOM" I SILOIU Around the top of the medal on the underside of the box. Trans: By Firmness, Prudence, and Strength inscription [Cyrillic] MIR" S" OTTOMANSKOIU PORTOIU ZAKLIUCHEN" 10 IIULIA 1774 GODA At the base of the medal on the bottom of the box. Translation: Peace has been concluded with the Ottoman Porte on July 10, 1774. inscription [Cyrillic] KER KI ENI On shields at lower R on medal on bottom of box. These are abbreviations of the names of the Turkish fortified cities of Kerch, Kinburn, and Enikale, all of which were defeated by Russian forces.

Credit line:

Bequest of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1973