Russian silver salt chair. Ivan Alekseevich Sveshnikov. Moscow, 1885.

Russian silver salt chair made in the workshop of silversmith Ivan Alekseevich Sveshnikov in 1885.The backrest is adorned with a shaped silhouette featuring a serrated edge and decorative arched cutouts, lending the piece an airy, architectural quality. On the inner side of the hinged lid is a delicate engraving of a rooster enclosed in a medallion — a symbol of awakening and the domestic hearth. The seat, facades, and base are decorated with floral and geometric motifs in the Russian style, emphasizing the ornamental richness of the form. The composition is executed with meticulous attention to detail, characteristic of the Moscow school of silversmithing in the second half of the 19th century.

Material and techniques: Silver of 84 zolotniks (875/1000); techniques include engraving, fretwork, and hand chasing.

Marks:Maker’s initials I.A.S. (Ivan Alekseevich Sveshnikov) on the base.City mark of Moscow — Saint George slaying the dragon.Assay mark of Moscow with inspector’s initials V.S. (Viktor Savinkov), dated 1885.Additional 84 silver standard mark on the inner lid.

Condition:Excellent preservation. Minor signs of age and patina appropriate to its period.

Dimensions:Height — 8 cmBase — 6.5 × 5 cmWeight:78 g