A rare Russian salt cellar of the Art Nouveau period, executed in the form of a traditional throne-chair inspired by the imagery of Old Russian furniture and decorative arts of the seventeenth century. The body is crafted from richly glazed porcelain in a deep cobalt-blue palette and embellished with vibrant geometric ornamentation in green, red, yellow, and pale blue tones. The high shaped back, side supports, and decorative panels create a striking architectural silhouette reminiscent of a miniature princely throne or a fairy-tale terem seat.
The hinged silver lid is adorned with a repoussé depiction of a proud rooster set against a finely engraved spiral ground. The meticulously rendered plumage, dynamic profile of the bird, and the contrast between the matte silver surface and the lustrous glaze enhance the sculptural character of the piece. One of the most recognisable motifs in Russian folk art, the rooster serves not merely as decoration but as a traditional symbol of prosperity, domestic well-being, and renewal.
The combination of silver and polychrome porcelain reflects the characteristic aspiration of Russian Art Nouveau towards the synthesis of materials and artistic techniques. The object represents a vivid example of the collaboration between Moscow silver firms and specialised craft artels during the early twentieth century.
Hallmarks: Nemirov-Kolodkin trade mark; mark of the 3rd Moscow Artel; Moscow assay mark; Russian silver standard mark 84.
Dimensions: 13 × 11 × 11.5 cm.
Condition: Good collectors condition. Minor traces of use, light wear to the silver surfaces, and small losses to the glaze on projecting corners. No significant damage.
Provenance: Private European collection.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, Moscow remained one of the foremost centres of Russian silver production and decorative arts. It was during this period that the Neo-Russian Style reached its full maturity, uniting a renewed interest in medieval Russian heritage, folk artistic traditions, and the aesthetics of European Art Nouveau. Artists and craftsmen sought to create works in which historical forms and national motifs were reinterpreted through a modern artistic language. Such objects were especially appreciated by the affluent public, who viewed them as expressions of national cultural identity.
The Nemirov-Kolodkin firm occupied a distinguished position among the leading Moscow manufacturers and suppliers of silverware during the late Imperial era. Founded by Nikolai Vasilyevich Nemirov-Kolodkin (1819-1886), the enterprise successfully combined its own production with commissions executed by specialised workshops and cooperative artels. From 1876 onwards, the firm served as a supplier to the Imperial Kitchen, reflecting both the quality of its production and its recognised standing at the highest levels of society. This collaborative system enabled the creation of sophisticated artistic objects incorporating a variety of materials and craft techniques.
The silver elements of the present salt cellar were produced by the 3rd Moscow Artel, whose hallmark appears on the silver lid. During the early twentieth century, such artels played an important role within Moscows jewellery and silver industries, bringing together highly skilled craftsmen of different specialisations. Through these associations passed commissions for some of Russias most prominent firms, including workshops connected with the circles of Fabergé, Ovchinnikov, Khlebnikov, and other leading jewellers of the period.
The throne form belongs to one of the most characteristic visual themes of the Neo-Russian Style. Similar miniature thrones, ceremonial chairs, and architectural compositions drew inspiration from the architecture and decorative arts of pre-Petrine Russia, including ancient chambers and terem palaces. Equally significant is the repoussé image of the rooster on the silver lid. In Russian folk tradition, the rooster symbolised prosperity, vigilance, domestic well-being, and good fortune. Its inclusion lends the object a distinctly national and folkloric character.
Particularly noteworthy is the porcelain body of the piece. Stylistically, it belongs to the sphere of decorative ceramics associated with Russian Art Nouveau, combining deep cobalt glazes, vibrant polychrome geometric ornament, and architecturally conceived forms. The impressed number “2191” on the underside appears to be a production model number and does not allow the manufacturer to be identified with certainty. Nevertheless, the artistic qualities of the piece indicate the work of a professional ceramic workshop from the Moscow region, most likely producing special commissions for the Nemirov-Kolodkin firm. The decorative treatment reveals the influence of the artistic traditions of the Abramtsevo circle and the broader Neo-Russian movement that profoundly shaped Russian decorative arts at the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
The combination of silver and artistic ceramics reflects the periods characteristic pursuit of a synthesis between different materials and craft disciplines. Owing to its rare construction, expressive national decoration, and documented association with both the Nemirov-Kolodkin firm and the 3rd Moscow Artel, this salt cellar represents an important example of Russian decorative art from the flourishing years of Art Nouveau and the Neo-Russian Style.
Good collectors condition. Minor evidence of age and use is present, including light wear to the silver surfaces and small losses to the glaze on projecting elements. The structure remains stable and intact, and the hinged lid operates correctly. No significant damage or evidence of restoration has been observed.
The condition report is provided for informational purposes only.
It is not comprehensive and may not reflect all defects, restorations, alterations, or adaptations, as Antiqon does not perform professional conservation-level assessments. The information is based on a qualified, yet subjective, evaluation by our specialists.Before purchasing, we recommend consultation with an independent expert.Please also consult our Terms and conditions and Glossary A-Z, which contain important information on lot characteristics and sale conditions.
