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

Russian kovsh made of 84 zolotnik silver with cloisonné enamel, Moscow, dated 1892, workshop Grigori Mikhailovich Sbitnev (attributed)

This elegant kovsh (Russian beaker and drinking vessel) is made of gilded silver and richly decorated with cloisonné enamel. The boat-shaped bowl with a raised, curved handle follows the traditional Russian kovsh form, which in the late 19th century was reinterpreted by numerous Moscow workshops in the “Russian Style.”

The upper rim is framed by a continuous band of white, bead-like enamel dots. Beneath it unfolds a dense, flowing leaf-and-vine ornament in cobalt blue, white, light blue, green, violet, and rust-orange — traditionally executed in sunk cloisonné technique. The foot displays a jagged pattern in blue and orange tones. The interior of the bowl and the handle are fire-gilded.

Attribution:
The maker’s mark “ГС” can be attributed with reasonable certainty to Grigori Mikhailovich Sbitnev, a Moscow silver- and goldsmith who worked with silver of fineness 84 and 88 as well as gold (56 zolotnik), specializing among other things in kovshi, enamel-covered icon mounts, and table silver. The date 1892 on the assay mark supports this attribution chronologically, even though some sources give the official founding of his workshop as 1893 — earlier individual activity by the master is nonetheless plausible. A fully secure, archivally documented attribution cannot be established from photographs alone; the piece is therefore classified as probably by Sbitnev.

The assay master “А.А.” was most likely Anatoly Apollonovich Artsybashev, who served as Moscow’s assay master during this period — again consistent with the year 1892.

Dating: 1892 (dated by the assay mark), Moscow.

Condition: Signs of use, well preserved for its age.

Dimensions: approx. 12 cm (length)
Weight: 114 g


Attribution:
The maker’s mark “ГС” can be attributed with reasonable confidence to Grigory Mikhailovich Sbitnev, a Moscow silver- and goldsmith who worked in silver of 84 and 88 zolotnik fineness as well as gold (56 zolotnik), specializing among other things in kovshi, enamelled icon oklads (covers) and table silver. The date 1892 on the assay mark supports this attribution chronologically, even though some sources give the official founding of his workshop as 1893 — earlier individual activity by the master is nonetheless plausible. A fully certain, archivally documented attribution cannot be established from photographs alone; the piece is therefore classified as probably by Sbitnev.

The assay master “А.А.” was most likely Anatoly Apollonovich Artsybashev, who served as Moscow’s assay master during this period — again consistent with the year 1892.

Dating: 1892 (dated by the assay mark), Moscow.

Condition: Signs of use, well preserved for its age.

Dimensions: approx. 12 cm (length)
Weight: 114 g