A La Vieille Russie, a family enterprise since its founding in Kiev in 1851, left the turmoil of the Revolution and was re-established in Paris around 1921 by Jacques Zolotnitsky, the son of the founder. The New York branch was opened in 1941 by the late Alexander Schaffer.
Alexander Schaffer in his first shop in Rockefeller Center, about 1934.
Still a multigenerational 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 the tradition of dealing in fine art and antiques. Goldsmith and jeweler Carl Fabergé was a client, and we are recognized today as international experts on his works. Known worldwide for our collection of Russian Imperial treasures, we also specialize in European and American antique jewelry, 18th-century European gold snuffboxes, and antique Russian decorative arts, including silver, enamel, and porcelain, as well as Russian paintings, icons, and furniture.
We have been at our present location on the corner of 5th Avenue and 59th Street since 1961, opposite Central Park. We maintain a strong exhibition schedule, both as exhibitors and lenders. For example, we exhibit annually at TEFAF Maastricht in the Netherlands, New York's Winter Antiques Show, The Grosvenor House Art & Antiques Fair in London, and the New York International Fine Art and Antique Dealers Show.
