RARE ANTIQUE RUSSIAN TSARIST CORONATION CUP (2)(the KHODYNKA CUP)

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RARE ANTIQUE RUSSIAN TSARIST CORONATION CUP (2)(the KHODYNKA CUP):
$1500.00

FROM WIKIPEDIA:

TheKhodynka Cup of Sorrows, also known as the Coronation Cup, the Sorrow Cup, or the blood Cup, was made for the coronation ofTsar Nicholas IIandTsarina Alexandra Feodorovnain 1896. The cup bears the cyphers of Nicholas and Alexandra surrounded by a geometric pattern with theRomanoveagle on the opposite side.

The beaker is among many that were distributed along with food presents and commemorative scarves to celebrate thecoronation of Nicholas II, as had been the long-standing tradition. On the morning of 18 May 1896, over half a million revelers gathered on the raggedKhodynka FieldinMoscowin anticipation of the presents and especially the commemorative cups (enameledtableware was still a great novelty at the time). That was far more than the field could safely accommodate, especially considering the many trenches and pits that dotted the plain in front of the Tsar\'s podium, because the entire area was normally used as a military training ground. A rumor swept through the crowd that the cups contained a gold coin. In the confusion and stampede that ensued, over a thousand people were trampled to death in what has become known as theKhodynka Tragedy. This event was taken as an omen of things to come for the rest of Nicholas\' reign. The coronation cup became known in Russia as the Cup of Sorrows and the Tsar himself got the nickname of \"bloody Nicholas\" - despite his best efforts to compensate the families of the victims. It was the Tsarina who named it the \"cup of sorrows.\"

These extraordinary historical cups rarely come up for sale even at the major sale houses. These two were found in Moscow with an antique dealer and they are well priced...they can go up to $1500-2000 for a single cup. In VERY GOOD CONDITION considering their age and the circumstances of their distribution!

Tapering cylindrical form, printed with Imperial arms and crowned monogram of Nicholas II above the date 1896, surrounded by strapwork below a gilt band 4 1/8 inches high; very good condition overall

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