Antique Imperial Russian Silver Kubachi Niello Cuff Bracelet, Earrings & Ring
Antique Imperial Russian Silver Kubachi Niello Cuff Bracelet, Earrings & Ring. This is an exceptional set made c1910. All three pieces are post 1908 and prior to 1917 when the radical leftist revolutionaries over threw Russia's last Tzar Nicholas II ending centuries of Romanov rule.
This date period is determined by the orientation of the Kokoshnik mark in the hall marks on all three pieces. As thousands of new diestamps had to be created, there was a transitional changeover period and the kokoshnik mark did not come into full use until the beginning of 1899.
Until 1908, the mark consisted of an intaglio engraved left facing woman's head in profile within an oval cartouche, she is wearing the peasant headdress traditionally referred to as a kokoshnik, thus giving the stamp its name. To her left is the standard number and to her right are the assayer's initials which also indicate the assay office. After 1908 this was reversed with the head facing right and the standard to the right of the Kokoshnik head. After the revolution of 1917 the Kokoshnik was replaced with a star containing the hammer and sickle defining the revolution era.
The hammer and sickle were first used during the 1917 Russian Revolution, but it did not become the official symbol of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic until 1924. All three pieces were made at the peak of excellence in Kubachi Niello silver work which is widely regarded to be the period between late 19th and early 20th century. These pieces were produced by artisan'Masters' of Kubachi in Dagestan. The master jewellers were very well recognised often winning awards for their skills, typically it was a family profession with the knowledge and expertise being passed down through generations. There are examples of their work in the Louvre, V&A, Hermitage, Metropolitan Museum of New York and the Museum of Moscow.
This piece is extremely fine with exceptional engraving detail and applied Niello. There are two sets of hall marks positioned either side of the cuff opening on one side of the arm. The first identifies the location and factory of the state utilising Cyrillic characters and the second features the right hand facing Kokoshnik head and the number 875. There is a very small mark prior to the head which either indicates a more precise location or the individual who assayed the piece. This pair of earrings are again extremely fine and feature identical hall marks to the cuff bracelet signifying the were made by the same workshop and artisan family.
Both sets can be seen on the reverse of the attachment clip The second set of hall marks feature the right facing Kokoshnik and the number 925, a higher grade silver and unusually rare at this time. The ring is stunning and extremely fine and features the same central design and Neillo as the cuff. Interestingly, this piece was made by a different artisan master to the cuff and earrings as determined by the first set of hall marks. The second set similarly features the right hand facing Kokoshnik with the number 875.
Unfortunately it is very difficult to photograph in detail the two sets of hall marks on each piece. I've tried to show them in the photographs however determining who the Master silversmiths were from the Cyrillic characters has proven to be incredibly difficult although the characters are very clear through a jewellers loop. Similarly determining the individuals who assayed each piece is just as difficult however it's possible that they were assayed by Kilimeat Zagayevsky and/or Ivan Sergeyevich Lebedkin. All three pieces have been professionally cleaned and polished.
They are all in superb excellent condition with no damage, some very minimal signs of wear which is wonderful considering they are over 113 years old. Clearly they have been very treasured and cared for. This is truly a rare and beautiful set that showcases the fine work of the'Masters' of Kubachi. A piece of imperial Romanov Russian history!
The collection will be sent fully insured and via a reputable courier.