Provenance: Martime Alps Prefect Andre de Joly, (1857-1934) thence by descent.
André de Joly (Paris 1857 - Anvers 1934) held the position of Prefect of the Martime Alps in Nice from 1904 to 1917. During his tenure, he lived through the highs of entertaining the European Royalty and Nobles who spent their winters on the Côte d’Azur to the more troubling times of the Great War.
By the age of 30 he is awarded the Cross of a Knight of the Legion of Honour and his commitment to his country and serving the French people sees him promoted to Prefect in 1893. His success in this role earns him the Officer’s cross after his diplomacy helps extinguish the social unrest of Sâone and Loire in 1899. He initiates many restoration projects for churches, museums and castles for what he considers to be French heritage in the Maine and Loire region. One of his greatest achievements is the construction of the Moyenne Corniche from Nice to Monaco during his service as Prefect of the Maritime Alps.
In his personal journal detailing his career he states "I have strongly felt the passion that has always been present over the years for this profession of Prefect, which allows so many initiatives, the most beautiful of all when you jealously guard, as I have been able to do, your freedom to act". He is awarded the Gold Medal for Mutuality and the Medal of Honour for Epidemics and is elevated to the grade of Commander in the Legion of Honour in 1910. In the course of his career, he is decorated 30 times, earning himself honours from the Crowns of Russia, Great Britain, Austria, Sweden, Germany, Serbia and Monaco (sold at Christie’s King Street, London, Orders, Decorations and Campaign medals, 22 July 1986).
His interaction with the Russian Imperial family is partly due to his role as Prefect but also thanks to his wife’s generous hospitality on the social scene of the Côte d’Azur. His position is more of that of an Ambassador, considering the circles in which he moves, as well as being charged with representing the department for Foreign Affairs. On one occasion, when Grand-Duchess Anastasia Mikhailovna’s daughter, Cécile, marries the German Crown Prince Wilhelm, de Joly quashes the discovery of compromising letters.
With such a strong presence of Russian nobility in the area by the end of the 19th century, plans for a new church are afoot. Empress Maria Feodorovna, widow of Tsar Alexander III, is presented with the idea during a stay on the coast. Enamoured with the idea of a new Russian church, she offers patronage and ensures the financial assistance of Tsar Nicolas II and has the plans expanded at the Imperial Academy of Arts in St Petersburg. After almost 16 years in the making, the Saint Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral is inaugurated on 17th December 1912. Prefect André de Joly is one of the honoured guests at the exceptional ceremony.
The following year sees the marriage of André de Joly’s only daughter. The wedding is celebrated by a number of events organised for selected guests. On Sunday 13 February 1913, a musical matinée is held at the prefecture, one of the guests notably His Excellence Baron Adolf Andreas Woldemar Freefericksz, Minister of the Russian Court. Next day, lunch is hosted at the prefecture for Grand Duke and Grand Duchess Mecklembourg-Schwerin, a.k.a. Grand Duchess Anastasia Mikhailovna and her brother Grand Duke Michael Mikhailovich of Russia with his wife Countess Torby. According to family tradition, this silver presentation kovsh, lot 324, is given as a wedding gift from the Imperial Russian family.
Literature:
-Anne Lovreglio, Newspaper Nice-Matin, edition 22nd July 1986
-sale catalogue Christie’s King Street, London, Orders, Decorations and Campaign medals, 22 July 1986
-National Archives, Nice, “Département des Alpes Maritimes, Rapport du Préfet, Conseil Général, 1er session du 1911 »
-Private journal retained by the family : « André de Joly 1856-1923, Quelques renseignements sur ma carrière, 1877-1917”
-Russian Orthodox Church, site of the Saint Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral in Nice sabor.fr, 2015-2019