Russians take New York for the night© 2004 © Bob Atchison www.alexanderpalace.org New York, March 12, 2004
Standing with his wife, Marina, and his two good-looking children, Mr. Vekselberg apologized if he appeared nervous. "This is the first time we have ever appeared in front of such a distinguished audience," he said, "and we apologize if we appear that way." Bill Ruprecht of Sotheby's announced his pride that the auction house was able to participate in such an important historic event as the return of the Faberge eggs to Russia. The party was a mix of art dealers and figures of interest, including Faberge specialist Archduke Geza von Habsburg and his wife, Elizabeth, Faberge scholar-dealers Paul Schaffer and his brother Peter of A La Vieille Russie, dealer Andre Ruzhnikov, and two American owners of major Faberge collections. It was widely rumored at the party that after a tour of Russia, the collection will sit in storage until the Vekselberg Foundation can build a museum to house them.
Prince and Princess Vladimir Galitzine each spoke to the crowd, encouraging them to give generously to the Association, which in addition to providing genealogical and historical guidance, also donates generously to hospitals, orphanages, Orthodox religious institutions, and cultural organizations inside and outside of Russia. The sophisticated crowd at the consulate included Count and Countess Nikita Cheremeteff, Mr. and Mrs. George Naryshkin, Baroness Maya von Haynau, Prince and Princess Grigorii Galitzine, seen here below are also Tatiana Rodzianko and her husband Anatoli Samochornov, and well as Countess Marina Woronzoff-Dashkoff. The party, which ended unceremoniously as Consulate officials turned off the lights in the ballroom in an effort to encourage the nobility to leave, was genial and familial in contrast to Sotheby's formal event. "Well," said Princess Galitzine, "It is to be expected.
We've all known each other for generations." When asked what she
thought of the Sotheby's event, she smiled. "It gives me great pleasure
to hear that the Russians are relearning the act of charity. Russia today
is vastly different from what it was six years ago, and eleven years before
that." Before leaving, she had one last comment: "Vekselberg
called me today to ask why we weren't coming to his party. I explained
what we were doing here tonight and he understood." She smiled. "Who
knows...perhaps someday, we'll do something together." |