RUSSIA, CIRCA 2004

Details

A BALALAIKA
RUSSIA, CIRCA 2004
Labelled internally in Cyrillic, engraved on the back of the headstock ‘To Mark Knopfler / from ‘Shangri La’ casino / with best wishes / 27th of April 2005 / Moscow Russia’, the six-staved back of maple
Overall length 26 7/8 in. (68.3 cm.)
Case 29 x 18 x 6 ½ in. (74 x 46 x 16.5 cm.)
RUSSIA

Sale room notice

Mark Knopfler plans to donate no less than 25% of the total hammer price received, to be split equally between The British Red Cross Society (a charity registered in England and Wales with charity number 220949, Scotland with charity number SC037738, Isle of Man with charity number 0752, and Jersey with charity number 430), Brave Hearts of the North East (a charity registered in England and Wales with charity number 1006247) and the Tusk Trust Limited (a charity registered in England and Wales with charity number 1186533).

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Amelia Walker Director, Specialist Head of Private & Iconic Collections

awalker@christies.com +44 20 7389 2085

Lot Essay

The Shangri La Casino in Moscow presented this balalaika to Mark Knopfler when he performed at the State Kremlin Palace in Moscow on 27 April 2005 during his Shangri-La Tour. The Shangri La Casino was shut down when gambling was banned across most of Russia in 2009.

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