Dish - .875 (84 Zolotniki) silver - Silver, 875/1000

Russian Kovsh (Shöpfgefäß) with Cloisonné enamel, Silver 84 zolotnik, presumably Moscow, c. 1880–1899

This magnificent kovsh crafted from gilded silver (fire-gilded interior) is done in the typical Russian style of the late 19th century. The curved, boat-shaped bowl flows into a high, stylised handle — a form that traces back to ancient Russian drinking vessels and was revived in the “Russian Revival Style” of the 1880s–1900s by numerous Moscow workshops.

The outer rim of the bowl is decorated with a continuous band of white, pearl-like cloisonné enamel dots. Below this unfolds a dense, scrolling foliate motif in vivid enamel colours — cobalt blue, orange, white, green and violet — executed in the classic cloisonné technique (Cloisonné/Скань-Emaille), as is characteristic of Russian silversmith workshops of this era. The base of the vessel features a contrasting scalloped pattern in blue and orange.

Marks / Fineness:
The underside bears several marks: the fineness indication “84” (Russian zolotnik standard, equivalent to 875/1000 silver), an assay mark depicting a mounted rider figure — presumably the pre-revolution Moscow city coat of arms (Saint George slaying the dragon), which was in use until about 1899 — and a heart-shaped maker’s stamp with the initials “АО” (upper part) and another letter “П” below.

Attribution (uncertain / with reservation):
The initials “АО” could possibly point to a master or workshop in the milieu of the well-known Moscow silver firm Pavel Ovchinnikov — perhaps a descendant or workshop associate named “Alexander.” However, a secure attribution to a specific, documented master could not be conclusively verified; the letter combination is not unambiguously attested in the relevant master lists (including Postnikova-Loseva). The attribution should therefore be understood as a guess, not as a proven fact.

Dating: Based on the form of the assay mark (mounted rider instead of a Kokoshnik head), probably before 1899, i.e. the last quarter of the 19th century.

Origin: Russia, presumably Moscow.

Condition: Light signs of use, well preserved for its age.
Dimensions: approx. 16 cm
Weight: 483 g

This magnificent kovsh (Russian ceremonial scoop/drinking vessel) is crafted from gilded silver (fire-gilt on the interior) in the typical Russian style of the late 19th century. The curved, boat-shaped bowl tapers into a raised, stylised handle — a form derived from old Russian drinking vessels that was revived by numerous Moscow workshops during the “Russian Revival” style of the 1880s–1900s.

The outer rim of the bowl is decorated with a continuous band of white, pearl-like cloisonné enamel dots. Below this unfolds a dense, scrolling foliate ornament in vivid enamel colours — cobalt blue, orange, white, green and violet — executed in the classic cloisonné (partitioned enamel) technique characteristic of Russian silversmith workshops of this era. The base of the vessel displays a contrasting scalloped pattern in blue and orange.

Marks / Fineness:
The underside bears several marks: the fineness mark “84” (Russian zolotnik standard, equivalent to 875/1000 silver), an assay mark depicting a mounted rider figure — likely the pre-revolution Moscow city coat of arms (St. George), which was in use until approximately 1899 — and a heart-shaped maker’s mark bearing the initials “АО” (upper section) and a further letter “П” below.

Attribution (uncertain / tentative):
The initials “АО” may possibly point to a master or workshop connected to the well-known Moscow silver firm of Pavel Ovchinnikov — conceivably a descendant or workshop associate with the first name “Alexander.” However, a definitive attribution to a specific, documented master could not be conclusively verified; this letter combination is not unambiguously found in the relevant reference works on makers’ marks (including Postnikova-Loseva). The attribution should therefore be understood as a hypothesis rather than an established fact.

Dating: Based on the form of the assay mark (a mounted rider rather than a kokoshnik head), probably before 1899, i.e. the last quarter of the 19th century.

Origin: Russia, probably Moscow.

Condition: Light signs of use, well preserved for its age.

Dimensions : 16 cm
Weight: 483 g