An elegant silver salt cellar of original architectural form, created in the style of Russian Art Nouveau by the renowned Moscow jeweller Gustav Klingert at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The composition of the piece is conceived in the form of a miniature chair with a high shaped back and a box-like base. The upper part is designed as a softly undulating panel with a gently curved contour.
The surface is decorated with delicate hand engraving depicting butterflies and stylised vegetal motifs characteristic of the decorative language of the Art Nouveau period. The central part of the back is occupied by a large butterfly with open wings, complemented by engraved flowers and flowing stems. The ornament continues across the sides of the base, creating a unified decorative rhythm and emphasising the sculptural plasticity of the form.
The seat is designed as a hinged lid opening to reveal the inner compartment for salt. The base rests on shaped feet forming a stable decorative support. Its compact dimensions and expressive form make the piece a characteristic example of small-scale silverwork produced in Moscow workshops during the Russian Art Nouveau period.
Marks: Maker’s mark “GK” for Gustav Klingert; assay mark “84” in an oval cartouche; Moscow assay mark with the kokoshnik head facing right, introduced following the assay reform of 1899.
Dimensions: Height 10 cm. Width 7 cm. Depth 4.5 cm.
Weight: 72 g.
Condition: Good.
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.
