Antique Imperial Russian Silver Kovsh Griffin Crystal Centerpiece Bowl Charka RU

For your consideration is an exceptionally rare and important Imperial Polish / Russian Silver Gilt and Cut Crystal Presentation Centerpiece, c. Octagonal on tapering foot, fluted body with openwork sides, cast and chased with Griffins, wreathes, and scrolls, with two hand-chased feather gilt scroll handles, signed under base.

Slight chip to corner of crystal insert as pictured; however, the chip is not visible once inserted into the scalloped silver gilt basket. Bearing the Zolotnik mark for 84 Imperial Russian Silver, workmaster initials W.

H, for workmaster Wladislaw Hempel. Silver weight without cut crystal insert: 7.35 troy ounce.

Dimensions: 10.0" x 4.5" x 4.5. Total weight, including glass insert, is 31.0 OZ.

The little squiggle behind the kokoshnik head is the Greek letter iota: the distinguishing mark for the Warsaw assay office, which was under Russian jurisdiction from 1851 to 1915 (when Germany seized Poland from Russia). They were prolific early 20th century Warsaw silver manufacturers.

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