This silver equestrian sculpture depicts a soldier of the Imperial Russian Life Guards Lancer Regiment on patrol. Created by the Grachev Brothers workshop, a supplier to the Imperial Court since 1892, it combines detailed silver craftsmanship with a historical connection to the Benois family, one of Russia’s most distinguished artistic dynasties.
The lancer sits upright in the saddle, holding a lance with a regimental pennon. His square-topped cap, epaulettes, uniform cords, sabre and horse’s harness are carefully rendered. The crowned cypher of Nicholas II appears on the saddlecloth. Fine chasing defines the horse’s muscles, mane and coat, while darker patina in the recessed areas contrasts with polished silver surfaces. The composition stands on a polished red stone base with a silver presentation cartouche.
The cartouche bears the dates “1879–29/IV.1904.” According to the accompanying research, these correspond to Colonel Nikolai Nikolaevich Benois’s service in the Life Guards Lancer Regiment and identify the sculpture as a regimental farewell gift presented in April 1904, shortly before his transfer to a staff appointment in the Kiev Military District.
Benois entered the regiment as a cornet in 1879 and served until 1904. He later commanded the 12th Akhtyrka Hussar Regiment and was promoted to major general in 1911. His military career provides the central historical context for this work, reflecting the tradition of officers commissioning silver presentation pieces to honor distinguished fellow officers.
Nikolai was the son of Nikolai Leontievich Benois, the celebrated chief architect of Peterhof, and the brother of Alexander Benois, artist, art historian and a leading figure of the World of Art movement, and Albert Benois, the noted watercolor painter and academician. Alexander described his brother’s military character in his memoirs. The sculpture’s proposed identification as Nikolai’s farewell gift connects it with the personal history of this influential family.
The work bears the Grachev Brothers maker’s mark, the 84-zolotnik silver standard, and the initials “ЯЛ” of assay master Yakov Lyapunov. The research places his tenure in 1899–1904, consistent with the date engraved on the cartouche. The maker is identified as the Grachev Brothers workshop; an individual sculptor is not named.
Designed to be disassembled, the sculpture retains its separate rider, horse, sabre and lance. The accompanying study describes the silver as well preserved, with legible hallmarks and the detachable components present.
Bringing together Imperial military tradition, St. Petersburg silverwork and the history of the Benois family, this sculpture offers a distinctive point of connection between decorative art and personal remembrance.
