 Interior of the store in 2008 | |
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| Coordinates | 40°45′51.55″N73°58′22.11″W / 40.7643194°N 73.9728083°W /40.7643194; -73.9728083 |
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A La Vieille Russie is aNew York City-basedantique store specializing in European and American antique jewelry,Imperial Russian works of art, 18th-century European goldsnuff boxes, andobjets d’art.[1] Founded in Kiev in 1851, A La Vieille Russie later relocated to Paris around 1920 and to New York thereafter. From 1961 to 2017, the store was located at 781Fifth Avenue, near the southeast entrance ofCentral Park.
In November 2017, A La Vieille Russie moved to a new showroom at745 Fifth Avenue, on the fourth floor. Featured are items byCarl Fabergé that were created for members of theRomanov court in Russia and for other wealthy patrons in turn-of-the-century Europe. A La Vieille Russie has bought and sold many of theFabergé Imperial Easter Eggs.
A La Vieille Russie, a family business since its founding in Kiev in 1851, left the turmoil of theRussian Revolution and was re-established in Paris around 1920 by Jacques Zolotnitsky, the grandson of the founder, with his nephew Léon Grinberg. The shop became a focal point for Russianémigré aristocracy and intellectual activity, attracting a range of royal and artistic clients. These includedQueen Marie of Romania,Grand Duchesses Xenia andOlga (sisters ofTsar Nicholas II), the Duke and Duchess of Windsor,King Farouk,Salvador Dali, andMarlene Dietrich.
Alexander Schaffer brought the firm to America, with his first shop in New York’sRockefeller Center. The gallery relocated to Fifth Avenue and 60th Street in 1941. In America, A La Vieille Russie quickly established itself as a leader in the market forFabergé and Russian Imperial treasures. It helped form all of the major American Fabergé collections, such as theForbes Magazine Collection, many of which are now in museums such as theVirginia Museum of Fine Arts and theCleveland Museum of Art. The gallery also specializes in European and American antique jewelry, 18th-century European gold snuff boxes, and antique Russian decorative arts, including silver, enamel, andporcelain, as well as Russian paintings,icons, and furniture.
In 1961, A La Vieille Russie moved down the block to 59th Street and remained there for 56 years. In fall 2017, A La Vieille Russie moved to a showroom one block south at745 Fifth Avenue.
Still a multi-generational family business, under the direction of brothers, Messrs. Paul and Peter L. Schaffer, and Paul's son, Dr. Mark A. Schaffer, A La Vieille Russie continues to deal in fine art and antiques.
The gallery exhibits annually atTEFAF Maastricht in the Netherlands, TEFAF NY Fall, and New York's Winter Show. A La Vieille Russie is a member of the National Antique and Art Dealers Association of America (NAADAA)[2] and the Art and Antique Dealers League of America.
A La Vieille Russie also makes regular appearances onAntiques Roadshow.
Jewelry from A La Vieille Russie's collection has made various red carpet appearances, most recently at the 2021Met Gala. Theater producerJordan Roth wore an amethyst Boivin necklace,[3] and Bee Carrozzini, daughter ofVogue editor-in-chiefAnna Wintour, wore a Victorian rock crystal necklace.[4]
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