Russian Silver Niello Liqueur Set with Presentation Box
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Russian silver niello eight piece liqueur service, marked 875, Cyrillic makers mark, comprising ewer, height 35 cm, six goblets, height 11.5 cm and serving tray, length 37 cm, decorated with stylised foliate and arch motifs, total weight 2002gm, in presentation box (8). Provenance: Martyn Cook collection, Shapiro Auctioneers
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- Niello - A compound made up of lead silver copper and sulphur that is black in colour, and applied to the engraved areas of silver items, thus highlighting the engraving by making the black niello detail stand out from the silver background. It was used on edged weapons from the Renaisance onwards, and also by Russian crafstmen of the19th century.
- Foliate - Decorated with leaves or leaf-like forms.
- Ewer / Pitcher - A type of jug with a narrow neck bulbous body and wide spout, originally used for carrying and storing liquids such as water or wine. In medieval times they were the source of water to wash ones hands during and after a meal. later the shape was used for vessels in silver, gold, glass and ceramics.
In Victorian times they were made in ceramics and occasionally glass with a matching basin, and sometimes other accessories such as a soap holder or toothbrush holder. Their purpose was to provide facilities for personal washing In the early 19th century were often enclosed in purpose built stands, and later resided on a washstand..
Sometimes the words "ewer" and "pitcher" are used interchangably, but a pitcher is generally considered to be a jug, and would have a wide mouth, and a gently tapering body.
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