A fine silver parcel-gilt trompe l’oeil salt cellar designed as a cake (kulich) mounted in trompe l’oeil napkin and plate. Marked ‘VS’ (Viktor Savinkov), 1855-1888. Russian Trompe l’oeil silver jewellery
Russian Trompe l’oeil silver jewellery
Optical illusion technique known as Trompe l’oeil aimed the creation of realistic objects. Originally used in paintings and interior design, over time hyper realism has come to applied in decorative art. One of the peculiarities of Russian Trompe l’oeil jewellery was a perfect imitation of linen napkins and towels.
Talented silver tromp-l’oeil jewelers were suppliers to the Russian Imperial court. Stunning realistic silver pieces were multiple winners at international exhibitions, with many customers abroad. Beautiful artworks of Russian jewelers still appear at major auctions, sold for big money. Unique cigar boxes, imitating real wood boxes, with the texture of the tree, stickers and labels are in high demand among collectors.
A four-piece silver parcel-gilt trompe l’oeil vodka set. Stamped with city hallmark, assayer’s mark “IE” and master’s mark “NJa” in Cyrillic (N.D. Yanichkin) and 84 standard. St. Petersburg
A silver cup with handle, a basket and a parcel-gilt cover. Stamped with city hallmark, St. Petersburg, 19 century
Russian Trompe l’oeil silver jewellery
A box with cover. Silver. The body decorated with dragonflies
Dish and napkin souvenir, enameled silver. Jeweler Pavel Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1872
Pavel Sazikov silver bread tray. Circa 1880
Rare cake basket in the style of Pavel Ovchinnikov
Bread Basket by Ovchinnikov 1873
Cake basket. Moscow circa 1890
Silver box with cover. Pavel Akimov Ovchinnikov, circa 1900
Russian cake basket having a swing handle realistically chased to simulate a wicker basket draped with a damask napkin
Bread basket, Moscow 1886. Chased to imitate basketweave
Sugar basket, Moscow 1886. Chased to imitate basketweave
Wine bottle, Moscow, 1899-1908. The silver bottle form engraved with a faux label and friction fit stopper. Hallmarked Moscow, circa 1899-1908, Cyrillic mark for Fedor Ivanov
Bread Basket and napkin. Jeweler Pavel Ovchinnikov 1873, Moscow
Basket and napkin. Jeweler Pavel Ovchinnikov 1873, Moscow
Bread Basket and napkin. Jeweler Pavel Ovchinnikov 1879, Moscow
Towel-napkin. Jeweler Pavel Ovchinnikov, 1877
Vase, 19th century
A 19th century Ash tray in the form of a bast shoe. Mark of Ivan Khlebnikov, St. Petersburg, 1878.
Lidded tankard, St. Petersburg, marked Sasikow
closeup
Lidded tankard, St. Petersburg, closeup