Lot 0048
Russian Silver and Niello Snuff Box with View of Vologda, Sakerdon Skripitsyn, 1838
Estimate: 7000-9000€
A rare Russian silver and niello snuff-box with city view of Vologda. Vologda, master Sakerdon Skripitsyn, 1838
Silver, engraving, blackening
Dimensions: 4.0 × 9.3 × 2.7 cm; weight: 131 g
Marks: “СС”, 84 zolotnik silver standard, assay mark of Vologda
The snuff box features an intricate engraving with neillo coated details. The lid displays a historical table titled “Vѣдомость о наличномъ числѣ душъ губерніи” (List of the Current Population of the Province). The sides and bottom are decorated with a panoramic view of the embankment of Vologda city and its river, finely etched with topographical accuracy.
A remarkable example of Vologda silver craftsmanship from the first half of the 19th century, this snuff box made by the honorable silversmith Sakerdon Skripitsyn. The work is an exquisite instance of deep engraving, a popular technique of the era, filled with niello details. The lid’s engraved table is a unique historical document, reflecting the administrative interest in statistics and state accounting during the Emperor Nicholas I era. The fine engraving captures the architectural landscape of Vologda in the 1830s, adding historical value to the piece.
Sakerdon Ivanovich Skripitsyn was a talented master of both silver and niello work from Vologda. His artistry was not limited to engraving; he also created gilded silver frames and decorative items in the neoclassical style. His works often borrowed themes from foreign engravings. For example, his silver plates from 1840, depicting views of Zurich, Lausanne, and Lake Brienz, are in the State Hermitage collection.
Skripitsyn’s finest works, such as the 1841 glass with a beautifully composed niello engraving, demonstrate his mastery as both an engraver and a sensitive artist. His pieces are highly valued in the antique market, with examples fetching high prices at international auctions.
This snuff box represents an exceptional work from Skripitsyn’s limited known output and is rare in the antique market.
Comparable item: https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2011/russian-works-of-art-faberg-and-icons-l11113/lot.455.html
Starting price: 6000€
Estimate: 7000-9000€
Hammer Price: €
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Lot 0050
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