Desk Silver Notepad In Old Russian Style Petr Milyukov, Russia

A rare cabinet object - a silver-topped desk notepad mounted on a solid green onyx base, crafted in the Old Russian style by the Moscow workshop of Petr Milyukov. The cover features a detailed repousse depiction of a majestic bogatyr (epic hero) riding through a dense forest. The composition is enriched with Ural semi-precious stones, inset into the warrior's helmet, armor, forest foliage and the stylized inscription. The lower part of the relief bears an archaic inscription in Church Slavonic script:"The Bogatyr Rides Higher Than the Standing Forest",emphasizing the allegorical grandeur of the figure, whose stature dwarfs the very woods he traverses. The interior holds a complete block of antique gilt-edged paper sheets. The notepad is fully functional and serves as an exceptional example of Russian decorative art. Marks:Moscow assay mark with a woman's head in kokoshnik facing right, within an oval cartouche with silver standard "84"; maker's mark "PM" (PM) - Petr Milyukov, Moscow silversmith and workshop owner. Dimensions:Notepad: Length 19 cm, Width 9 cm.Onyx base: 24.5 x 13.5 cm Weight: 2185 g Condition:Good condition consistent with age. Minor signs of use. All decorative elements, stones and inner paper block present. Hinges and clasp mechanism function properly. Provenance:Private collection.

At the turn of the 20th century, Russian decorative art embraced a national revival movement, with the Old Russian style emerging as a dominant expression of identity. Silverwork, furniture, and desk accessories increasingly adopted archaic motifs inspired by folk traditions, Orthodox heritage, and heroic epics. Petr Milyukov's workshop operated in Moscow in the early 1900s and became known for its refined silver pieces executed in the Neo-Russian and historicist styles, frequently incorporating domestic semi-precious stones and traditional materials such as green onyx. These works were often commissioned as gifts, status symbols, or patriotic statements for private interiors and imperial circles. The heroic bogatyr depicted here evokes legendary figures such as Ilya Muromets and Dobrynya Nikitich - protectors of the Russian land in oral epic tradition. With repousse artistry, archaic inscription and gem-setting, the object bridges functional utility and national mythology, embodying the spirit of pre-revolutionary Russian decorative culture.