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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A fine Russian silver spoon decorated with niello and engraving, made in Moscow in 1872. The spoon is struck with the 84 zolotnik silver standard, Moscow assay mark with St George, assay initials “В.С” with date 1872, and a maker’s mark, probably “ЕМ” or similar, as read from the photographs.

The bowl is richly decorated with a niello architectural town view set within a shaped cartouche. The surrounding surface is engraved with foliate ornament and geometric borders. The reverse of the bowl and the handle are also decorated with architectural motifs, leaf ornament and patterned niello-style decoration.

The combination of engraved views, dark niello contrast and finely worked ornamental borders is characteristic of Russian silver souvenir and decorative spoons of the Imperial period.

Origin:
Russian Empire, Moscow.

Period:
1872.

Type:
Silver niello spoon.

Material:
Silver, 84 zolotnik standard.

Technique:
Silverwork, engraving, niello decoration.

Decoration:
Architectural town views, foliate ornament, geometric borders and niello details.

Marks:
Moscow assay mark with St George.
84 zolotnik silver standard.
Assay initials “В.С”, dated 1872.
Maker’s mark probably “ЕМ” or similar, as read from the photographs.

Dimensions:
Length: 16.6 cm.

Weight:
60.8 g.

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

The post Russian Silver Niello Spoon with Architectural Views, Moscow, 1872 first appeared on Antique weapons, collectibles, silver, icons, bronze, swords, daggers...