THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 10, 1996 TAG: 9603080277
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
A 19th century presentation egg made by the legendary Carl Faberge and never before seen in the United States will be part of ``Imperial Russian Treasures,'' an exhibition opening Sunday, March 17 at the Arts Center of the Portsmouth Museums.
The show, which includes long-lost Russian icons and private Romanov masterpieces, will be displayed through April 21 on the first floor of the 1846 Courthouse at High and Court streets.
In addition to the egg, other works by Faberge include a rare jade figurine of a Russian general.
A painted Triptych on silver panels set in carved-oak framing from the 19th century will highlight the Romanov works. Many of the icons on display once belonged to Russian royalty.
They are on loan to the Portsmouth Museums by a family that wishes to remain anonymous. The exhibit opening next weekend is the second of two parts of the collection.
The owners of the Russian art called Arts Center Director Peter Mooz shortly after they read in the newspapers a story of his involvement with a show in Dallas of objects owned by Catherine the Great.
Mooz says he ``realized the caller knew what he was talking about,'' and Mooz made an appointment to see the art the next day.
``It was the most stunning exhibit of Russian art I've ever seen,'' he says. Within a week, he made arrangements to borrow some of the collection for the two-part exhibit here, including the Faberge. BENEFIT OPENING
A gala benefit opening for ``Imperial Russian Treasures'' will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday at the 1846 Courthouse galleries.
A donation of $60 per couple will include a buffet and a champagne bar. Deadline for reservations is Wednesday.
Any proceeds from the opening night reception will be earmarked for use at the arts center.
``We need to upscale our air-handling system,'' center Director Peter Mooz says. ``It's important to get more delicate kinds of art here in the future, and we need to supplement city funding to get it done.''
Mooz says the benefit is open to all who wish to participate. For more information, call 393-8983. MEMO: The museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sundays.
A donation of $4 will be requested to defray the expense of mounting the
exhibit. by CNB