Russian Gold and Silver Details

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Agitation against jewelry, which flared up in the Soviet republic about a month ago, is still occupying the minds of Russians in U. S. S. R. as well as abroad. The first gun was fired by Yaroslavsky, a veteran Communist, who in a special article in the Moscow Pravda upbraided Mme. Rosenelle, the well known Russian actress and wife of Anatole Lunacharsky, the Soviet minister of people’s education, for the luxuries she indulged in while accompanying her husband to Berlin and the Geneva conferences. Rings, necklaces, and “other trinkets” (to quote the scornful words of Yaroslavsky) were chief among those luxuries. Mme. Rosenelle posed to the Swiss and German press photographers with those pieces of jewelry adorning her figure, and the German newspapers, along with the few newspapers of the Russian emigrés residing in Paris and Berlin, printed derisive comments on the Soviet leader’s wife wearing jewelry. The German Communist newspaper Rote Fahne published a letter from a group of German radical workers scorning the conduct of Mme. Rosenelle and alleging that her behavior made the German workers’ struggle against the enemies of the Soviet republic very difficult. There was no comment on this incident in the Soviet press until Yaroslavsky, a strong enough man to criticize even a Soviet minister’s wife, came out with his article. He told the whole story by innuendo, but everyone understood whom he meant when talking of the “non-partisan wife of one of our responsible comrades.” He called Mme. Rosenelle’s behavior unbecoming a Soviet citizen, especially in her high position. He warned all the Soviet citizens, when on their trips to foreign countries, to be modest in dress and adornments, in order to preserve the dignity of the proletarian republic and to avoid being the laughing stock of the foreigners, especially in America, where even the money lords dress plainly enough. Yaroslavsky’s article has created comments galore, which still continue to occupy the Russian press columns. While the Soviet journals heartily approve of Yaroslavsky’s stand, repeatIng his warning to Soviet citizens to forego the luxury of jewelry, the Russian newspapers published abroad see in the whole story an indication that the Spartan principles of the Soviet republic are crumbling, giving place to the human trait of love for jewelry and other adornments, a trait too human and natural to be suppressed by dogmas and decrees. A few periodicals occupy a neutral position neither charging nor defending jewelry in general, but saying that actors and actresses must have their adornments, these being among their “tools of profession,” and that the pearl necklace worn by Mme. Rosenelle and responsible for the whole fuss was made of paste and not worth $20.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 19th April 1928

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Gold and silver watches were given by the State authorities in Leningrad as prizes to the best bakers in the local bakeries belonging to the State. Giving watches as prizes, or tokens of esteem on occasions of anniversaries and jubilees, to factory workers, office managers, star salesmen, army officers, etc., was a well established custom in old Russia, of late revived in the Soviet State, if we are to judge by the newspaper items and accounts.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 19th April 1928

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The Red Newspaper of Leningrad reports that the installation of the machinery at the new artificial-pearl factory in Peterhoff (near Leningrad) is well-nigh a completed job. The manufacture of the pearls will begin at an early date. The Academy of Arts is taking care of the new enterprise. An eager domestic market is assured for as much product as the factory will be able to provide.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 15th March 1928

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The Leningrad Port Custom-House reports that artificial pearls continue to hold one of the first places in the smugglers’ stocks. While many contrabandists bring their pearls into the Soviet Union by crossing the Polish and Latvian borders, other smugglers come as passengers on steamers arriving in Leningrad from Germany and the Baltic states. These “passengers” employ novel and highly ingenious methods of concealing the pearls on their bodies and in their belongings. Cases are known where a smuggler fasts for two and more days. His belly sinks in. He fills the hollow spot resulting with strings of pearls, which he then covers with imitation human skin. The man does not appear to be over-stout, and the most expert eye cannot detect any fraud. It is said that, thanks to this method, over 900 strings of pearls can be brought in by each smuggler on a single trip.

The pearls are brought from Germany and France. They still enjoy tremendous vogue with the Soviet ladies.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 15th March 1928

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Rumors of the coming purchase of the remainder of the Russian Crown Jewels by a London jewelry syndicate are again enjoying an airing. It is believed that the principal pieces still in Soviet hands include the Imperial crown containing 2000 diamonds, the Orloff diamond of Goleonda (182 carats), the Shah diamond of 80 carats and an emerald and a sapphire piece of 180 carats each. Moscow is supposed to be anxious to sell the jewelry and is inviting selected world jewelers to visit the city and view the articles. While nothing seems to be known this end of the proposed purchase on behalf of London gem merchants, Riga reports that a representative already is nearing Moscow with a letter of credit for $5,000,000 in his pocket.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 24th May 1928

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In a Moscow magazine, one L. Pasinkoff describes his recent visit with the inhabitants of the village Kubachi. The village is situated high up in the Caucasian mountains and is celebrated for the jewelry-making and engraving work of rare quality that is being done here since time immemorial. The whole village does nothing but this work for its glory and its living. The men make daggers and sabres of gold and silver and spend months to engrave each weapon. Experts of Russia and Western Europe know and value the Kubachi art. Many samples of this ancient art grace the halls of world-renowned museums of great capitals. Antique dealers of Paris and Berlin made many trips to the village before the World War. Now the Soviet Government buys the whole output of the village jewelers, paying for some objects in kind with parts of the Czar’s collections whichever are judged to lack any historical or art value, such collections forming the so-called “Exchange Fund” of the Hermitage in Leningrad.

L. Pasinkoff states that a few of the Kubachi people had emigrated abroad and can be now found in Paris, London and Montreal, while a few moved to Moscow, everywhere carrying their primitive tools, ways and methods.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 16th February 1928

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The Soviet Commissariat of Interior Affairs issued a circular, according to which the Bureaus of Vital Statistics all over the Soviet Republic must advise the local agents of the State Treasury whenever a deceased citizen, whose death is registered in a bureau, leaves an estate worth more than 1000 roubles (about $500). A list of taxable objects found within such estates is added to the circular. “Objects of luxury” are taxable, and among these gold, silver, platinum and precious stones are listed. Exemptions are allowed for a pocket watch (one for an estate) and silver or gold Spoons, tea and table, one dozen of each for an estate. This new regulation annuls all the previous rules of the Soviet Government regarding estates and “objects of luxury.” The principle of taxation now supersedes that of confiscation.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 15th March 1928

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Professor A. E. Fersman, the greatest Russian authority on precious stones, is reported to be seriously ill. His ailment took a chronic character. A cure-trip to Western Europe is recommended by his physicians. Professor Fersman will leave Soviet Russia shortly. Overwork in the course of his intensive mineralogical research is said to have undermined the savant’s health.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 19th April 1928

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M. Ribnikar, a Yugo-Slavian journalist, while describing in the Belgrade Politica his recent trip to Moscow, states that two leading French jewelers “from Rue de la Paix,” together with a “Frenchizied Armenian,” came to Moscow simultaneously with him. They were stopping in Hotel Savoy, says Ribnikar, and intended to buy “several million francs’ worth” of Russian precious stones “for the American market.” The correspondent does not mention the names of the jewelers. Neither does he say whether any deal was concluded between them and the Soviet Government.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 15th March 1928

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During the past few days some $5,250,000 worth of refined bar gold has been shipped from Britain to Russia, according to Customs returns. The gold was not supplied from the gold reserve of the Bank of England.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 23rd June 1926

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Gold bars worth $6,250,000 were stacked alongside sides of bacon at a London wharf this week-end awaiting removal to banks. The bars weighed nine tons and were packed in 200 wooden cases, having arrived in the Yushar from Soviet Russia. Armed men in plain clothes watched the cases unloaded and loaded up again, but no passers-by knew the contents of the boxes. The workmen engaged on the wharf knew they were heavy but had no idea of the nature of the contents. An armed escort saw the bullion safely through the streets of London.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 9th February 1928

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Among the Jewish exiles from Russia who arrived in Montreal this week on S. S. Pickhuben was a jeweler named Leopold Paijiver. He said he was given three days in which to get out of St. Petersburg and the country, and although over $5,000 appeared in his books against his customers he was obliged to leave though he collected but $150. He was compelled to leave all his stock and household goods behind. Several jewelers and watchmakers arrived in this steamer and they intend to follow their business in this country if they can get a chance.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 22nd July 1891

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A few more words about the kustari-jewelers of Russia—the cottage industry— that is being encouraged by the Soviet government of late and is rapidly recovering its pre-war and pre-Revolution prosperity (see “Russian News Notes” in The Jewelers' Circular of Jan. 26). There are whole Russian villages that devote all their spare time to this craft. Near Saratoff, on Volga, the peasants are noted for their manufacture of bells of silver-gilt in the shape of a pear; pitchers and plates with dark enamel flowers, and various amulets, for which Ural’s multi-colored stones are used. Villagers in Western Siberia make brooches, buttons, seals and paper-weights of malachite and jasper, also globes and beads for necklaces of white crystal. Amulets of amethyst, aquamarine, tourmaline and topaz find a ready market all over Russia. A primitive foot-lathe constitutes the whole equipment of a Russian qutar. He sells his wares at local fairs or to the merchants of neighboring towns. Many of his manufactures found their way to the great annual fair at Nijni-Novgorod, to which the whole Russia winds her way. There the Siberian and Volga kustar meet picturesque competitors—the masters of Khorossan, Bokhara and other Central Asiatic countries, who journey to the Nijni fair with ornaments of slender lapsis-lazuli and turquoises from the ancient Nishapur mine stuck by the dozen into rolls of wax. The Soviet government is now making an effort to introduce the kustart’s work to foreign markets, and sending their wares to the Milan Exposition, of which mention was .made in a previous issue, is only one stage of the wide program.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 16th February 1927

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Walls of abandoned mansions in Russia still hold surprises for their new Soviet managers. In the Tifliss (Transcaucasia) house of Ter-Markarian, an Armenian oil magnate, a secret vault was found recently full of rare objects of art and jewelry. Ter-Markarian fled abroad in 1921 and is residing now in Paris.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 16th February 1927

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The jewelry that the fleeing aristocracy took along to foreign countries is rapidly parting their company, sometimes under very trying and pitiful circumstances. The Riga daily Segodnia (“Today”) relates an instance where in the line of poor people standing before the doors of the Riga municipal pawn-shop an aged Russian princess was recognized. The newspaper conceals her name under an initial N. and goes on to say that the impoverished dame of the Czar’s court brought a beautiful diamond necklace to be pawned. The necklace was presented to the princess by Emperor Alexander II himself in his days of glory. The old lady had to part with this historical piece of jewelry in her desire to help her grandson, who worked in Paris as a chauffeur but on losing his job and getting sick came to his grandmother in Riga for assistance.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 16th February 1927

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The Moscow Custom House has published lately a list of imported wares that must be brought to the Custom House to be stamped. Among other goods, watches and clocks “of all kinds” are named. The order concerns all individuals and institutions that have the listed merchandise in wholesale quantities intended for sale, and it is calculated to catch the contraband that had managed to cross the border safely during the few recent months. The merchandise must be delivered to the Custom House not later than May 15, along with documents establishing legality of ownership and proof of duty paid. Persons or institutions failing to conform with the new order will be prosecuted as contrabandists, even if they will prove that the duty was paid. This order of the Moscow Custom House is based on the decree of the Soviet Department of Commerce of March 21 last.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 11th May 1927

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Morris Friedberg, retail jeweler, 1254 Griswold St., kept the sidewalk in front of his store packed during most of last week. He had on exhibition a crown supposed once to have been the property of the czar of Russia. On the sidewalk in front of the window were two men attired in Cossack garb. The interest was intense throughout most of each day. The exhibition proved to be one of the most successful window attractions that has been witnessed in downtown Detroit in a long time.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 11th May 1927

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Although no exceptional prices were obtained the Russian Imperial State jewels auctioned at Christie’s last week by the syndicate that acquired them some time ago were sold within four hours, the pick of the collection going to France. Hatton Garden dealers were among the bidders. The jewels realized around $402,000, the famous egg-shaped diamond being knocked down at nearly $59,000, and the nuptial crown of diamonds at $30,500. There were 124 lots, and the public curiosity was such that when the doors were opened nearly 1000 people made a rush to get into the sale room in which the gem dealers already had seats at the big horseshoe table. The great room was thronged with fashionably dressed women. Very few pearls were in the collection, but diamonds. were very much in evidence. The lots undoubtedly made one of the finest jewel displays seen at Christie’s in years. All the small pieces were disposed of in the first hour and in few instances was more than $1,500 offered. So far as the trade was concerned there was no show of sentiment, bids being made strictly in accordance with market values. There was a good show of sapphires, amethysts and garnets. Each-lot was introduced by its number and the bidding was in pounds sterling. H. S. Harris, the well-known Hatton Garden gem dealer, competed for the egg-shaped diamond worn by many empresses, but M. Founés, the dealer of the Rue St. Honoré, Paris, became its new owner. M. Founés bought most of the best pieces. He spent altogether. around $200,000, acquiring the nuptial crown and other famous pieces. In connection with the sale the Daily Mail says that one sensed the anger of the onlookers at the thought that the Soviet should use London as a market for its confiscated property.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 6th April 1927

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The Soviet authorities never tire to issue new regulations regarding Russian imports and exports. A new set of rules, decreed recently by the Moscow government, forbids, among other things, import of clocks, watches and watch materials. ‘“Vneshtorg,”’ the State trust, has the exclusive monopoly of foreign trade, and these new restrictions cover not only freight shipments but parcel post as well. However, if a traveler can prove that the watch or clock he brings with him to Russia is his personal property not intended for sale, the timepiece is left with him — after a very close inspection and scrutiny of the inner parts of the clock. This latest precaution of the Soviet border guards grew out of their experience with contrabandists, some of whom are known to smuggle silk and perfume into Russia inside of big clocks. The “Museum of Contraband,” organized by the Odessa custom house, exhibits one of those “personal property” clocks full of cunningly devised partitions and drawers concealing perfume bottles.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 15th December 1926

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Twelve tons of fine and standard gold, representing a value of nearly $8,000,000, left London this week-end for Soviet Russia. This is the first movement of gold from England to that country since the World War, all bullion shipments hitherto having been from the Soviet to this country. The transfer of this Soviet gold bullion from the Bank of England to the Soviet State Bank at Moscow has aroused considerable interest in the money market here. Elaborate precautions during and after loading on to the Soviet at London Bridge were taken. Detectives were posted outside the wharf and Russian sailors mounted guard on the ship. The bullion was packed in 100 boxes. The Soviet weighed anchor immediately and proceeded down the Thames to the sea en route for Petrograd. Soviet agents said the gold is intended for payment to the Soviet for purchased grain. This is denied on the Baltic Exchange. The bullion is part of a $14,000,000 consignment shipped here from Russia last year, presumably for the purpose of extending Soviet trading credits this side. Lately there has been some agitation to discontinue business with the Soviet because of the interference of that government with labor questions here. This, it is thought, may have something to do with the hurried shipment of its gold bullion back to Moscow.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 9th February 1927

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