Thank you, Sir, for the very interesting and valuable information regarding work of two masters. The seller advertised the item as a work of Kollin but the price was reasonable. After reading mentioned above discussion I found in the Internet many items made by of E. Kortman. Some of them are pieces of art and cost fortune ( cigar boxes for example). The thing I noticed that this master had sort of sense of humor in the form of depicting birds and other animals on the surfaces of some of his items. Even on my glass holder - there are two small birds on one side and the bigger one ( their mum) is on the other side. These two are hiding from her in the branches of trees. The glass holder of Atlas has the saying engraved on it with humor as well. What a wonderful master Edward Kortman was!!!Qrt.S wrote:@Valdemar
The Finn Erik Kollin was the head workmaster at Fabergé 1868-1889. He is best known for his high quality gold work. e.g. the replicas of the gold objects and jewellery found in the Kul-Oba burial mound 1830. He is also known for the first imperial egg, the Hen Easter Egg that was most likely made in Kollins workshop in 1885. Erik Kollin was a giant among goldsmiths in whole Russia.
Nothing wrong with Edward Kortman but he was one goldsmith in the row of goldsmiths in St. Petersburg. He cannot be compared with Kollin. Objects made in his workshop are much less valuable than work of Kollin. In case the seller of you podstakannik claimed it to be made by Kollin and you paid for his name, you have been frankly said deceived. Hopefully you haven't paid too much.