This exceptional antique Russian silver tea caddy has a cuboid shaped form with rounded shoulders.
The surface of this silver tea caddy has a matte textured finish and is embellished with panels of alternating engraved decoration depicting a floral spray and a simplified scene of two male figures interacting.
Each arched panel is encompassed with an engraved geometric border accented with a simplistic band of scalloped decoration to the interior parameter; the rounded corners of the body are plain and unembellished.
The swept upper portion of the caddy is embellished with further interlacing engraved ornamentation.
This exceptional tea caddy is fitted with a hallmarked, circular waisted push fit cover, featuring further matte textures to the side.
The subtly domed upper portion of the cover is ornamented with further engraved decoration incorporating contemporary engraved initials to the centre.
The interior of the cover retains the original gilding.
The cover opens to reveal the original plain hallmarked push fit Russian silver stopper featuring a hallmarked hinged loop handle to the upper plateau.
The hallmarks struck to the interior of this antique Russian silver tea caddy include:
Maker's mark: Untraced
Assay mark: A.P, 1890
Silver quality/purity mark: 84 (84 zolotniks*)
City Mark: Moscow, Russia
Such Russian silver tea caddies are becoming increasingly difficult to locate.
* 84 zolotniki is equivalent to 875/1000 or .875 standard silver
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Maker: Untraced Maker's Mark
