A rare collectible set of six silver teaspoons (84 zolotniks), decorated with niello landscapes of Moscow architecture on the back of the bowls. The views include: Saint Basil’s Cathedral, the Kremlin, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Ivan the Great Bell Tower, the towers of Kitai-Gorod, and panoramic perspectives of Red Square. All scenes are executed with jeweller’s precision in the characteristic niello technique. The spoons are parcel-gilt with elegant twisted handles. Preserved in the original case, lined with crimson velvet and stamped in gold with the inscription: “FROM THE SHOP OF THE MANUFACTURER P.A. OVTCHINNIKOV” under the Imperial double-headed eagle, indicating distribution through the official Supplier to the Imperial Court.
Hallmarks: Moscow mark after 1896 (kokoshnik profile facing left); “84” silver standard; maker’s mark “ВС” for Vasily Semyonov, Moscow silversmith and founder of the workshop established in 1852.
Dimensions: Length: 10.5 × 2 cm.
Weight: Total weight: 95 g.
Condition: Good preservation. Niello intact, parcel-gilt rich and even. Original case in good condition, with traces of age.
In the late nineteenth century, Moscow experienced a flourishing of decorative arts, and silverwork became one of the capital’s finest artistic achievements. Niello, an ancient technique known since medieval Rus’, found renewed expression in the hands of jewellers of the period. The contrast of finely engraved lines filled with black alloy allowed artisans to create miniature architectural panoramas with striking accuracy on functional objects.
The spoons in this set feature iconic monuments of Moscow: Saint Basil’s Cathedral with its colourful domes, the Kremlin towers, the monumental Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the soaring Ivan the Great Bell Tower, and the historic perspectives of Kitai-Gorod and Red Square. Each depiction was more than ornament; it symbolised national memory and imperial identity, bridging Russia’s past with its present grandeur.
While produced by independent workshops such as that of Vasily Semyonov, these sets were frequently retailed through prestigious houses like Ovchinnikov’s, official purveyor to the Imperial Court. The gilded stamp inside the case confirms this elite provenance and situates the spoons within the imperial retail network.
Such sets were often presented at All-Russian industrial exhibitions or exported abroad as exemplars of national style. Today, Moscow-view niello spoons are preserved in the State Historical Museum, the Hermitage, and leading private collections. They stand as eloquent witnesses to the golden age of Russian silverwork on the eve of the Empire’s collapse.
Good preservation. Niello intact, parcel-gilt rich and even. Original case in good condition, with traces of age.
The condition report is provided for informational purposes only.
It is not comprehensive and may not reflect all defects, restorations, alterations, or adaptations, as Antiqon does not perform professional conservation-level assessments. The information is based on a qualified, yet subjective, evaluation by our specialists.Before purchasing, we recommend consultation with an independent expert.Please also consult our Terms and conditions and Glossary A-Z, which contain important information on lot characteristics and sale conditions.
