Antique Imperial Russian Military Cabinet Photo 5 Soldiers St Petersburg c.1910–1917
Description
Original antique Imperial Russian cabinet photograph featuring five uniformed soldiers posing in a professional studio. One soldier is wearing military decorations, making this an especially interesting historical portrait.
The photographer’s mount is marked:
V. K. Dobrovolsky (В. К. Добровольский)
Artistic Photography Studio
St. Petersburg, Russian Empire
The reverse displays an ornate studio advertisement with Imperial awards and medals, indicating the photographer was officially recognised during the reign of the Russian Emperors. The mount also includes the studio’s St. Petersburg address and telephone number, typical of the late Imperial period.
Dating from approximately 1910–1917, this original photograph captures Russian soldiers shortly before the fall of the Russian Empire and the Revolution.
Perfect for collectors of:
* Imperial Russian military history
* Romanov-era photography
* First World War memorabilia
* Antique cabinet photographs
* Russian Empire collectibles
* Genealogy and historical archives
Condition:
Original antique condition with age-related wear, edge losses, corner damage, surface marks and fading to the reverse mount. Please study all photographs carefully as they form part of the description.
You will receive the exact photograph shown.
This portrait was produced by the Artistic Photography Studio of V. K. Dobrovolsky in St. Petersburg, then the capital of the Russian Empire. At the beginning of the 20th century, cabinet photographs were the preferred format for formal military portraits and were often commissioned before deployment or as keepsakes for family members.
The elaborate reverse design advertises the photographer’s Imperial honours and reflects the prestige attached to leading photographic studios of the era. The soldiers wear uniforms typical of the late Imperial Russian Army, while the medals worn by one of the seated men suggest previous military service or distinguished conduct.
As the photograph predates the 1917 Russian Revolution, it represents one of the last generations of soldiers who served under the Romanov Empire, making it an attractive and historically significant collectible.
The reverse of the mount proudly states that the photographer was honoured with official commendations from His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor. Such recognition was a prestigious distinction awarded to respected photographers serving the Imperial Russian court or official institutions, adding further historical significance and collectability to this original cabinet photograph.