MIKHAIL CHEMIAKIN (RUSSIAN B. 1943) Petrushka, 2002 sterling silver overall height: 100.5 cm (39 5/8 in.) the mounted plaques inscribed with Chemiakin Design with a logo, artist's signature, standard and edition: Galmer New York. 925 STERLING SILVER. 17/24/2002 EXHIBITEDSt. Petersburg, The State Hermitage Museum, Manege Central Exhibition Hall, Mikhail Chemiakin: Sculpture. Fine Art. Graphic Art. Works of Art., October 15-November 15, 1995The exhibition traveled to: Moscow, State Tretyakov Gallery, 1995Moscow, the Bolshoi Theatre, 1995Moscow, The Russian State University for the Humanities (RGGU), 1995 LITERATUREChemiakin. VI. Jewelry. The State Hermitage. Central Exhibition Hall "Manege." State Tretyakov Gallery (New York: Russian World Gallery, 1995), ex. cat. (illustrated) LOT NOTESPetrushka, a Russian stock character deriving from 17th century Commedia dell'arte, became a recurring figure in Chemiakin's oeuvre along harlequins and other theatrical, carnivalesque figures. The present sculpture, modeled as a candelabra, is made after a painted polymer cast from a 1998 series of the same name. On several occasions, Chemiakin - an admirer of Stravinsky, whom he met in 1962 - also produced costume designs for the composer's ballets, including Petrushka. Central to this type of work by Chemiakin is inspiration from African, Oceanic, and Mesoamerican masks, synthesised with Commedia dell'arte, Russian skomorokh performances and 19th century lubok.