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Bookplate of Petr Kikin by Nikolai Utkin (19th Century)

This bookplate of Senator and State Secretary Petr Kikin (1775-1834) was engraved by Prof. Nikolai Utkin (1780-1863), HIM's engraver. The armiger was one of the founders and a Chairman of the Society of the Encouragement of Arts.

The Kikins, of a noble Lithuanian descent (their ancestor settled in Russia and was created a Boyar by St. Demetrius of Don), matriculated as ancient nobles of the Provinces of Penza, Simbirsk and Moscow, had no granted arms, and the presence of the State eagle in their shield is therefore enigmatic. It could be, however, confirmed in a demi-formal way by Peter I before the heraldic office-work was properly established in Russia - as the Kikins themselves were used to believe.

It worth mentioning that the family emblem is placed "before" the augmentation (as it was not uncommon in the very earliest Russian grants) rather then "after" it - as it became common later.

The plant charge of the Kikins' arms is also unknown; it may be a tree branch, most likely a pine's; but it may be some specific flower as well. The stag is, presumably, one of supporters (as an ancient noble lineage, the Kikins were entitled to these).