Tula Steel diamonds

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

The city of Tula, 200 kilometers south of Moscow, reached fame circa 1800 for its armoury workshops. Tula craftsmen worked steel, for the Imperial cabinet. A factory for weapons still exists now.

In this category, here is a steel sword inlaid of gold, 89 cm long, that Christie's sells on Nov. 24 in London (7630 sale, Lot 40). The fineness of the decoration makes it a true work of art, estimated 300 K £. The blade is decorated with the seal of a diplomat. The pommel is shaped as an eagle beak. The faceted forging of steel was a specialty developed in Tula, and the alignment pattern of diamonds of this sword is a superb example.

The art of Tula workshops is very specific, and it is difficult to imagine without seeing. In Paris, the attention of auction fans was attracted by this very precious style in a sale made by PIASA at the Hôtel Drouot on 18 June 1999. A pair of candelabra 40 cm high also faceted with diamond patterns was sold 2.1 MF before fees, and an octagonal mirror of 63 cm had reached 980 KF.

I found some help to prepare this article by reviewing La Gazette de l'Hôtel Drouot dated 25 June 1999 (hard copy).

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

It is a real disappointment. This exceptional lot did not find a buyer.