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SILVER Seller in Alpes-Maritimes, France
A silver match safe executed in the expressive style of Russian Art Nouveau, featuring a mythological subject dedicated to the Leshy, the forest spirit of East Slavic folklore. The front is adorned with a sculptural relief bust of the figure, depicted with a wild, tangled beard, a heavy winter hat, and a high fur coat collar. The frightening yet inwardly benevolent grimace emphasizes the dual nature of the Leshy as both a dangerous and protective being. Through the mirage-like plasticity of the form, a female face subtly emerges - an allusive motif referencing folk beliefs about the Leshy’s fondness for misleading and frightening young women, leading them astray in the forest. The reverse side of the match safe is decorated with a relief composition representing a symbolic “bar of offerings-amulets” traditionally presented to the Leshy before entering the forest. Suspended elements inlaid with colored glass and semi-precious stones evoke a ritualistic atmosphere and reinforce the object’s sacral character. Within the depth of the relief, misty silhouettes of children’s and women’s faces appear to emerge from the silver surface, imparting a sense of otherworldly mystery and metaphysical presence associated with forest spirits. Beyond its utilitarian function, the match safe is conceived as a symbolic object. Within the aesthetic framework of Art Nouveau, it functions as a “key” to parallel worlds, a sign of initiation into hidden knowledge and natural forces. The motif of fire, inherent in the object’s practical use, acquires an additional layer of meaning - mastery over the elemental force and protection during travel. Such objects were highly appreciated by collectors and aesthetes of the early twentieth century.
ID: 103387-1788942465-163602
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