What is Russian niello silver work?

Niello is a black metallic compound of silver, copper, lead, and sulphur fused into engraved lines on silver items, a technique extensively refined by Russian craftsmen during the 18th and 19th centuries.

What materials are used in 19th-century Russian silver-gilt items?

Items from this era are constructed from standard Russian silver alloy, frequently gilded with a layer of gold and detailed with dark niello inlay to highlight scrollwork.

How do you identify authentic 19th-century Moscow silver?

Authentic pieces bear official hallmarks including the city assay mark (such as Saint George and the Dragon for Moscow), the assay master mark with the date, the maker mark, and the zolotnik purity stamp.

How can antique silver serving spoons be styled in modern interiors?

Decorative silver objects can be presented inside a glass display cabinet, laid on a sideboard tray, or framed within a shallow shadow box alongside historic metalwork.

How should antique silver-gilt and niello items be preserved?

Dust gently using a clean microfibre cloth and avoid harsh chemical cleaners or abrasive polishes that could wear down the gilding or alter the niello surface.

for sale €585 $635

£500

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19th Century Silver Spoon

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Antique Russian Silver Niello Large Spoon - Moscow C.1848

Name: Antique Russian Silver Niello Large Spoon - Moscow C.1848
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1197217
Price: 500 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Artisan Antiques

Description

We are delighted to offer this beautiful antique Imperial Russian solid silver niello spoon made by an unidentified maker "EC" in Moscow c.1848.

The spoon is substantial in size and has a bold presence both on display and in hand. A good and hefty guage of silver has been used to craft this spoon and has a reassuring weight in hand.

In spite of what could be a very bland and utilitarian item, it has been decorated exquisitely with niello foliate motifs, displaying a high degree of craftsmanship, artistry and design.

The entire spoon has been silver-gilt and the reverse side of the bowl features stippling, engravings and niello.

Such contrast and artistic juxtaposition between utility and ornamentation is particularly delightful on these pieces and serves as a wonderful aesthetic contrast in interior settings among other silverware or as a highlighting piece on a table.

Overall, a delightful and collectable piece of pre-revolution Russian silverware, ideal for one-off collections or amongst other Russian antiques.

The spoon is marked with a Russian 84 zolotnik hallmark along with the maker's mark "EC", assay mark for 1848 and the Moscow town mark.

*Please note: all images with other items are for display purposes only, this listing is for the title item only.

Size

Size (cm) L:18.5cm W:5cm

Size (inches) L:7.28 W:1.96

Combined Weight: 61.4 grams (1.97 Troy oz) total.

Condition

Good Condition - The spoon is in overall good antique condition with no major damage or issues. Some minor gilding fading and niello wear commensurate with age.

We aim to overemphasise and state these issues to avoid disappointment and thus please rest assured they are not significant nor affect the usage of the items.

Please refer to the photographs to examine the condition in further detail.

Free Shipping

Artisan Antiques offers free global shipping with professional, secure and discreet packaging.

We will always ensure your items are packaged with the utmost care and see the delivery through to the end. In the very rare and unfortunate case of non-delivery/courier loss, you are fully covered with us and we will fully refund you.

*All parcels are insured - please rest assured all shipping liabilities other than import/customs duty are covered by Artisan Antiques.

*Colours of the product may slightly differ from the photos due to different computer screens & lighting conditions*

- Price negotiations may be possible under certain criteria, please contact us via telephone (07578761640) or email (info@artisanantiques.net) -

Declaration

Artisan Antiques has dated this Russian Silver Niello Spoon to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1197217

Dealers Notes

We strive to provide inimitable first-class service with your needs and satisfaction as our number one priority.

Description

We are delighted to offer this beautiful antique Imperial Russian solid silver niello spoon made by an unidentified maker "EC" in Moscow c.1848.

The spoon is substantial in size and has a bold presence both on display and in hand.

“

A good and hefty guage of silver has been used to craft this spoon and has a reassuring weight in hand.

Artisan Antiques

fig 1. An antique Russian silver-gilt serving spoon featuring intricate black niello foliate engraving across the back of the oval bowl and a turned stem. — fig 1. Antique Russian Silver Niello Large Spoon - Moscow C.1848

In spite of what could be a very bland and utilitarian item, it has been decorated exquisitely with niello foliate motifs, displaying a high degree of craftsmanship, artistry and design.

The entire spoon has been silver-gilt and the reverse side of the bowl features stippling, engravings and niello.

fig 2. An antique Russian silver-gilt serving spoon featuring intricate black niello foliate engraving across the back of the oval bowl and a turned stem. — fig 2. Antique Russian Silver Niello Large Spoon - Moscow C.1848

Such contrast and artistic juxtaposition between utility and ornamentation is particularly delightful on these pieces and serves as a wonderful aesthetic contrast in interior settings among other silverware or as a highlighting piece on a table.

fig 3. An antique Russian silver-gilt serving spoon featuring intricate black niello foliate engraving across the back of the oval bowl and a turned stem. — fig 3. Antique Russian Silver Niello Large Spoon - Moscow C.1848

Overall, a delightful and collectable piece of pre-revolution Russian silverware, ideal for one-off collections or amongst other Russian antiques.

The spoon is marked with a Russian 84 zolotnik hallmark along with the maker's mark "EC", assay mark for 1848 and the Moscow town mark.

fig 4. An antique Russian silver-gilt serving spoon featuring intricate black niello foliate engraving across the back of the oval bowl and a turned stem. — fig 4. Antique Russian Silver Niello Large Spoon - Moscow C.1848

Please note: all images with other items are for display purposes only, this listing is for the title item only.

Size

Size (cm) L:18.5cm W:5cm

Size (inches) L:7.28 W:1.96

Combined Weight: 61.4 grams (1.97 Troy oz) total.

fig 5. An antique Russian silver-gilt serving spoon featuring intricate black niello foliate engraving across the back of the oval bowl and a turned stem. — fig 5. Antique Russian Silver Niello Large Spoon - Moscow C.1848

Condition

Good Condition - The spoon is in overall good antique condition with no major damage or issues. Some minor gilding fading and niello wear commensurate with age.

We aim to overemphasise and state these issues to avoid disappointment and thus please rest assured they are not significant nor affect the usage of the items.

fig 6. An antique Russian silver-gilt serving spoon featuring intricate black niello foliate engraving across the back of the oval bowl and a turned stem. — fig 6. Antique Russian Silver Niello Large Spoon - Moscow C.1848

Please refer to the photographs to examine the condition in further detail.

Free Shipping

Artisan Antiques offers free global shipping with professional, secure and discreet packaging.

We will always ensure your items are packaged with the utmost care and see the delivery through to the end. In the very rare and unfortunate case of non-delivery/courier loss, you are fully covered with us and we will fully refund you.