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

Russian Kovsh with Floral Cloisonné Enamel, Marked “84”, Probably Moscow

A boat-shaped vessel decorated with richly coloured floral cloisonné enamel. Twisted metal wires outline scrolling leaves and flowers against a finely textured, gold-coloured ground. The palette includes cobalt blue, light blue, several shades of green, white and pink-orange shaded floral details.

Floral borders on a green ground frame the upper and lower edges of the body. The curved handle terminates in a scroll and is similarly decorated with floral enamel, bordered by a row of circular blue enamel cells. The vessel rests on a flared, undecorated, gold-coloured foot.

Marks / Fineness:
The underside bears the fineness mark “84”, a pictorial mark depicting a mounted rider, and a heart-shaped letter mark with the Cyrillic characters “АО” above “П”. In the Russian zolotnik system, “84” corresponds to a silver fineness of 875/1000. The rider resembles the historical Moscow city mark depicting St George.

The heart-shaped “АО / П” mark resembles documented Moscow alderman’s marks, which were quality-control marks used by a guild official. A definitive attribution to a particular maker has not yet been established.

Dating:
The heart-shaped “АО / П” mark resembles a documented Moscow alderman’s mark associated with the period 1775–1802 and could indicate an earlier origin. The enamel decoration, however, appears stylistically more consistent with the late 19th century. A definitive date for the kovsh has therefore not yet been established.

Origin:
Probably Russia, Moscow.

Condition:
Visible scratches and surface wear, particularly on the underside.

Measurement:
H: 10 cm
L: 18 cm

Weight: 483 g.