The table was made at the Tula factory, established by Peter the Great in 1712 and patronised by Catherine the Great. It was offered for sale by a German Royal family, descendants of Grand Duke Peter of Oldenburg.
Cut steel centre table
What is reckoned by the auctioneers to be a new auction record for Russian furniture was set at Christie’s December 13 Continental furniture sale in London when this 22in (56cm) wide silver- and ormolu- mounted faceted cut steel centre table, c.1785-90, sold for £620,000 to a European dealer after a battle between seven telephones.
