A finely crafted antique Russian silver box dating to the 19th century, decorated with traditional niello work and featuring a gilded interior.

The small rectangular box has softly rounded edges and a hinged lid, combining a practical design with elaborate decorative silverwork.

The exterior is ornamented with intricate geometric patterns executed in niello, a traditional metalworking technique in which a dark compound is applied to engraved recesses, creating a striking contrast against the polished silver surface.

The lid features a central shaped cartouche surrounded by densely arranged decorative motifs. The cartouche remains blank and may originally have been intended for the owner’s initials or a personal monogram.

The sides of the box continue the decorative design, creating a harmonious and carefully finished appearance.

The interior is gilded, providing a warm golden contrast to the silver exterior and dark niello ornamentation.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Silver boxes decorated with niello were a distinctive part of Russian decorative metalwork during the 19th century.

The technique was particularly appreciated for its durability, fine ornamental detail and strong visual contrast between blackened decoration and polished silver.

Such small boxes could be used for pills, snuff or other personal necessities, depending on their dimensions and original owner’s preferences.

Although this piece is presented as a pill box, its exact original function cannot be established with certainty. Its compact size and hinged construction would also have made it suitable as a small personal snuff box.

SILVER HALLMARKS

The box bears Russian silver hallmarks, including the traditional 84-zolotnik standard, equivalent to 875/1000 silver fineness.

A maker’s mark is tentatively read as “GB” or “СВ” (Cyrillic). The precise identity of the maker has not been established.

The assay mark is considerably worn, preventing a reliable identification of the city of manufacture or an exact production date.

The box is therefore attributed to the Russian Empire, 19th century.

DETAILS

Origin: Russian Empire
Period: 19th century
Material: Silver, niello, interior gilding
Silver standard: 84 zolotnik (875/1000)
Maker’s mark: Possibly GB or СВ, unidentified
Technique: Engraving, niello decoration, gilding
Form: Rectangular hinged box
Decoration: Geometric ornaments and blank central cartouche

DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT

Length: 4.3 cm
Width: 3 cm
Height: 2 cm
Weight: 63.7 g

CONDITION

Antique condition with visible age-related wear, surface scratches, tarnishing and traces of use. The gilded interior shows signs consistent with age. Please examine the photographs carefully, as they form part of the description.

An attractive example of 19th-century Russian silver craftsmanship, combining detailed niello ornamentation with a richly contrasting gilded interior.

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The tongs feature an elegant spring-form construction with gently tapering arms, a smoothly rounded central bend and decorative floral details near the base of the handles.

The gripping ends are rectangular and deliberately different in design. One has a smooth, slightly curved surface, while the opposite end displays a distinctive pattern of raised pyramidal projections, designed to provide a secure grip on sugar cubes.

The polished silver surface and restrained ornamental decoration reflect the refined craftsmanship of Russian domestic silverware of the late Imperial period.

HALLMARKS AND MAKER

The interior bears the maker’s mark “AK” and the Russian 84-zolotnik silver hallmark (875/1000).

The assay mark incorporates a female head in a kokoshnik, the number 84 and a Greek alpha, identifying the St Petersburg Assay Office. This type of mark was introduced in 1908 and remained in use until 1926.

The maker’s initials “AK” may correspond to Abraham Henrikson Kiiveri, a silversmith born in Finland in 1850 who was registered as a master in St Petersburg from 1883. However, this attribution remains tentative, as the initials alone are insufficient to establish the maker’s identity conclusively.

These tongs are attributed to the Russian Imperial period, circa 1908–1917, although the assay mark itself remained in use beyond 1917.

DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT

Length: 13.3 cm
Width: 3.3 cm
Height: 2 cm
Weight: 48.1 g
Silver standard: 84 zolotnik (875/1000)

CONDITION

Antique condition with surface scratches, light wear and traces of patina consistent with age and use. The internal surfaces show a warm tone, with some tarnishing visible around the decorative details. Please refer to the photographs.

An attractive and practical example of early 20th-century Russian silver tableware, suitable for a collection of Imperial Russian silver or traditional tea accessories.

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This small icon is distinguished by the exceptional quality of its painted image, with careful attention to the facial features, expression and subtle transitions of light and shadow.

Christ is depicted frontally, wearing a red tunic and a blue mantle. He raises His right hand in blessing and holds an open Gospel book in His left hand.

The face is painted with remarkable delicacy, showing softly modelled features, expressive eyes and finely rendered hair and beard. The treatment reflects the influence of academic religious painting, which became increasingly important in Russian icon painting during the 19th century.

The icon is painted on a zinc plate rather than the more traditional wooden panel. Metal supports were used in Russian religious painting during the 19th century, including in professionally commissioned church works. Zinc provided a rigid, relatively thin support suitable for detailed painting.

The combination of carefully executed painting and a substantial silver covering gives this small icon a particularly refined appearance.

SILVER OKLAD

The icon is mounted in a richly decorated 84-standard silver oklad, featuring finely engraved floral and geometric ornamentation.

The silver covering leaves the painted face, hands and other parts of the composition visible, while the garments and surrounding areas are enhanced by intricate metalwork.

The halo is decorated with radiating lines and ornamental details. The outer border features repeating engraved motifs that frame the central image.

SILVER HALLMARKS

The silver oklad bears Russian Imperial hallmarks indicating Moscow and the date 1862.

The marks include the Moscow city emblem depicting Saint George slaying the dragon and the traditional 84-zolotnik silver standard, equivalent to 875/1000 fineness.

The assay initials V.S. are commonly associated with the Moscow assay master Viktor Savinkov. Historical research notes, however, that attribution of certain V.S. marks may be complicated by several assay officials with similar initials.

The maker’s mark is tentatively read as “Л.Ч.” (L.Ch.) or “П.Ч.” (P.Ch.). The precise identity of the silversmith has not been established.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The image of Christ Pantocrator is among the most important subjects in Orthodox Christian iconography. Christ is represented as the ruler and judge of the world, holding the Gospel and blessing the faithful.

During the 19th century, Russian icon painters increasingly combined traditional religious iconography with the naturalistic modelling associated with European academic painting.

The present icon illustrates this artistic approach through its expressive portrait of Christ, carefully controlled shading and finely detailed execution.

Painting on zinc is a noteworthy feature of the work. Comparable Russian icons painted on zinc and mounted in silver coverings are documented from the 19th century, including examples from the 1860s.

Although the precise circumstances of this icon’s commission are unknown, the quality of its painting and engraved silver oklad suggest considerable attention to its artistic and decorative execution.

SPECIFICATIONS

Subject: Christ Pantocrator (Christ the Almighty)
Origin: Russian Empire
Silver oklad: Moscow, 1862
Painting: 19th century, precise date not independently established
Technique: Painting on zinc plate
Silver: 84 zolotnik (875/1000)
Assay mark: V.S., traditionally associated with Viktor Savinkov
Maker’s mark: Possibly Л.Ч. or П.Ч., unidentified
Decoration: Engraved silver oklad

DIMENSIONS

Height: 18 cm
Width: 13.5 cm
Depth: 1.3 cm

CONDITION

Antique condition with visible signs of age, surface wear, patination and age-related changes to the painted and silver surfaces. Please examine the photographs for details.

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The polished silver surface features gracefully curved stems, leaves and fine engraved details. The asymmetrical shape gives the piece an attractive and unusual appearance.

The exterior bears Russian silver hallmarks, including the 84 zolotnik standard (875/1000), and a maker’s mark.

Origin: Russian Empire
Period: Late 19th – early 20th century
Material: 84 zolotnik silver (875/1000)
Decoration: Floral engraving and monogram
Dimensions: 3.3 × 5 × 5 cm
Weight: 28 g

Condition is shown in the photographs.

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The salt cellar is of rounded, almost spherical form, with an open upper rim and a flat circular base. The exterior is richly decorated with an engraved and nielloed cityscape extending around the body, depicting churches with onion domes, bell towers, historic buildings and stylised trees.

The composition is framed by ornamental borders with fine geometric engraving. Around the upper edge is the Cyrillic inscription “ВЕЛИКИЙ УСТЮГ” (Veliky Ustyug), identifying the city represented in the decoration.

The dark niello ornament contrasts elegantly with the polished and engraved silver surface. The interior retains its gilt finish, creating a warm golden contrast with the silver exterior.

Historical background:

Veliky Ustyug, in northern Russia, is one of the historic centres of Russian silversmithing and niello decoration.

The local tradition of silver niello work developed particularly strongly during the 18th and 19th centuries and continued through the Soviet period. Veliky Ustyug craftsmen became renowned for their finely engraved silver objects decorated with black niello, frequently depicting architectural landscapes, historic monuments and ornamental compositions.

Niello is a traditional decorative technique in which engraved recesses in the metal are filled with a dark metallic compound, producing a characteristic black design against the silver background.

The present salt cellar reflects this regional artistic tradition through its detailed depiction of Veliky Ustyug’s architectural heritage.

Material:
Silver, niello decoration, gilt interior.

Marks:
Soviet 875 silver standard hallmark and additional maker’s mark on the underside. The precise maker has not been confirmed.

Origin:
USSR, Veliky Ustyug tradition.

Period:
20th century, Soviet period.

Dimensions:
Height: 4.2 cm.
Width: 5.5 cm.
Depth: 5.5 cm.

Weight:
66.3 g.

Condition:
Age-related surface wear, minor scratches and partial wear to the interior gilding, particularly around the upper rim. The niello decoration remains clearly visible. Condition is shown in the photographs.

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The bowl is made of clear cut crystal, richly decorated with geometric star-cut, fan-cut and diamond-cut patterns. The crystal body is fitted with a silver rim and an ornamental silver band decorated with repeated leaf motifs. On each side there is a shaped silver handle with floral and scrolling decoration, giving the piece an elegant table-service appearance.

The silver mount bears Soviet silver hallmarks, including the 875 silver standard in the characteristic spade-shaped hallmark used circa 1927–1954. A maker’s initials mark is also visible, but the exact workshop should be confirmed by direct hallmark reference, as the mark is not fully clear from the photographs.

Mounted crystal bowls of this type were used on the formal table for sweets, fruit, preserves, nuts or small delicacies. The combination of finely cut crystal and silver mounts reflects the continuation of refined table silver traditions into the Soviet period.

Material:
Cut crystal, 875 silver mounts.

Marks:
Soviet 875 silver standard, spade-shaped hallmark, circa 1927–1954.
Maker’s initials mark.

Origin:
Soviet Union.

Period:
Circa 1927–1954.

Dimensions:
4.5 × 15.5 × 12 cm.

Weight:
Total weight: 420 g.

Condition:
Age-related wear, light scratches, patina and oxidation to the silver mounts, minor rubbing and traces of use. Small chips or surface marks to the crystal may be present. Hallmarks are visible on the silver band. Condition is shown in the photographs.

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A small Soviet silver-gilt scent bottle or miniature perfume flask of flattened form, fitted with a short chain. The compact shape and decorative gilded surface make it an attractive small silver object for collectors of Soviet silver, perfume accessories and decorative personal items.

The body is decorated with engraved floral ornament and has a warm gilded surface. The surface shows age-related wear, dark oxidation, rubbing to the gilding and visible scratches, consistent with use and age.

The piece is marked with the 875 silver standard and a Soviet head hallmark. The assay office letter is not clearly readable from the photographs and should be checked under magnification.

Origin:
Soviet Union.

Period:
Mid-20th century.

Type:
Scent bottle / miniature perfume flask.

Material:
Silver-gilt, 875 standard.

Technique:
Silverwork, gilding, engraving.

Decoration:
Engraved floral ornament and chain attachment.

Marks:
875 silver standard with Soviet head hallmark. The assay office letter is not clearly readable from the photographs.

Dimensions:
5 × 4.5 × 1 cm.

Weight:
17.9 g.

Condition:
Age-related wear, oxidation, rubbing to the gilding, surface scratches and marks. The condition is shown in the photographs.

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