Catalogue

A Russian Cast Silver Napkin Ring from the “Bogatyr Outpost” Series
Moscow, maker’s mark of Mikhail Tarasov, 1908-1917.
Silver; casting, repoussé, chasing, engraving, patination.
Dimensions: 3.7 × 6 × 3.5 cm.
Weight: 32.5 g.
Marks: maker’s mark of M. Tarasov; Moscow assay mark; 84 zolotniki silver standard.
A Russian cast silver napkin ring of oval form, decorated with a relief composition from the popular late Imperial series known as “Bogatyr Outpost”. The principal scene shows the head of an ancient Russian warrior in helmet and armour, rendered in bold repoussé with darkened recesses and a softly patinated surface. The warrior’s grave expression, heavy beard and stylised helmet evoke the heroic imagery of medieval Rus’ and the world of the bylina epic.
The decoration belongs to the national-romantic current in Russian decorative art of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.
Mikhail Yakovlevich Tarasov was a Moscow maker of gold and silver objects, known in the first decades of the twentieth century. His workshop produced articles of personal use, tableware, filigree and chased silver. By 1912 he is recorded as the owner of a factory for gold and silver wares. Tarasov’s silver objects are distinguished by their expressive national style, strong relief modelling and original ornamental design.

Starting price: 200€
Estimate: 250-300€
Hammer Price: 275 €

A Russian silver-gilt vodka cup on stand with guilloché enamel
 St Petersburg, Grachev Brothers manufactory, 1908-1917.
Silver, gilding, guilloché enamel.
 Marked: firm’s mark Br. Gr, 88 standard; assay mark of St.Petersburg. Weight: 64,4 g. Dimensions of the cup: 3,6 x 5,1 x 3,5 cm. Diameter of the saucer plate: 8 cm.
A refined Russian silver-gilt vodka cup with matching plate in the form of tea pair. Both enriched with translucent guilloché enamel over an engine-turned ground. The cup is of slightly tapering cylindrical form with a plain loop handle, while the plate circular echoes its restrained geometry and understated elegance. The luminous deep blue enamel, laid over a finely waved guilloché surface, creates a soft moiré effect that animates the object with subtle movement and depth.
The ensemble was produced by the celebrated St Petersburg firm of the Brothers Grachev, among the leading Russian silver manufacturers of the late Imperial era. Founded in 1866 by Gavriil Petrovich Grachev, the enterprise was subsequently managed by his sons Mikhail, Simon, and Grigory. In 1892 the firm received the distinction of Supplier to the Imperial Court, a title renewed in 1901. Although particularly admired for works in the Russian Revival style, the Grachev workshop also created table silver of refined historicist and early modern character, distinguished by exceptional technical precision and a sophisticated command of enamelling.
This cup and stand belong to the sphere of intimate luxury tableware produced for an affluent urban clientele in the final years of Imperial Russia. Their restrained silhouette, monochrome brilliance, and finely controlled enamel surface exemplify the discreet elegance of St Petersburg silver at the beginning of the 20th century.

Starting price: 1200€
Estimate: 1500-1700€
Hammer Price: Not sold

A small silver napkin ring. “SL”, 84. Latvia, 1919-1940.
Weight: 13.5 g.Height: 2.6 cm. Diameter: 3.5 cm.

Starting price: 50€
Estimate: 70-100€