www.925-1000.com

Hi all -

I recently visited an auction where this Niello spoon was auctioned. My interest was neither the artistic execution nor the artistic coat of arms - more the place of origin Veliki Oustiug. Then the big surprise for me: the highest bid was much higher than mine (you would have got 3 Fabergé spoons for it)! Question: is the spoon something special - did I miss something?

Here some informations I collected before the auction started:
L 22 cm, W 34 g
Townmark: Veliki Oustiug 1837-1854 (here 1850)
Silvercontent. 84 Zolotniki = 875/1000
Assay master: Schterch, Gustav 1846-1855
Maker: Koschkov, Michail I. 1835-1896
sorce: PL, pp. 151, 152







Regards
Goldstein

Interesting question. The coat of arms belongs to the Russian noble family of Dokukin, maybe that was the reason. Some later relative would very much to have the spoon as a memory....maybe?

Hi all -

The secret is revealed! In Veliki Oustiug existed among others one very famous silversmith: Schilin, Iwan Petrov 1750-1812 (PL #144), not to be confused with Schiin Aleksandr Iwanov 1800-1832 (PL #134-137) known for their excellent spoons, boxes and coffee services in niello. This objects are very much sought after and achieve highest prices at auctions ( > Sotheby´s).
Objects from Schiin A. I.




A spoon from Schiin A. I. to compare




Maybe some people confused something or speculated - otherwise I can not understand such a high price for such a normal spoon.

Regards
Goldstein

Hi -

Sorry for the mistake:

The first 4 objects are from Schilin Iwan Petrov
The last spoon is from Schilin Aleksandr Iwanov

Regards
Goldstein

Goldstein wrote:Hi all -

I recently visited an auction where this Niello spoon was auctioned. My interest was neither the artistic execution nor the artistic coat of arms - more the place of origin Veliki Oustiug. Then the big surprise for me: the highest bid was much higher than mine (you would have got 3 Fabergé spoons for it)! Question: is the spoon something special - did I miss something?

......
Regards
Goldstein

Hi.

It isn't a difficult question.

Because, this spoon is the work of art.
Fabergé's spoon is only very good work, no more ...

Is it possible to know if this is the most rare, most uncommonly seen town mark in the official system of hallmarks?

Hi Aguest -

as most of the in Veliki Oustiug produced silver is decorated with very artistic niello you will not find it on fleemarkets or in the shop around the corner!
It is not inexpensive and many wealthy collectors search worldwide for it. We do not speak about prices here but spoons start for 3 digits, small boxes for 5 digits amounts in Euro. Collectors know where to find it! Here on the forum you will not often see it....

Here my personal favourite from A. Schilin:






Regards
Goldstein

Aguest wrote:Is it possible to know if this is the most rare, most uncommonly seen town mark in the official system of hallmarks?

Hi.

I don't understand your question. What do you want to know?

I think the question was:
How rare are items bearing the mark of Вели́кий У́стюг assay office ?

Yes thank you for the explanation.

The question was "How rare are objects bearing this specific town mark" and it seems quite rare indeed!

Of course we do not discuss monetary value, I was just curious about the overall rarity.

All of these objects are very beautiful, and I thank you for the opportunity to learn new information.

Hi.

In Velikiy Ustyug was few silversmiths. But among them there were high quality makers in the technik of niello. Therefore their products (niello) have such agiotage and the prices. Similarly the situation with niello makers from Tobolsk is.

Here some more to admire....









Regards
Goldstein