Russian Trompe l’oeil silver jewellery

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 trompe L’ oeil cup with handle, a basket and a parcel-gilt cover. Stamped with city hallmark, St. Petersburg, 19 century

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 silver trompe l’oeil box with cover. The body decorated with dragonflies

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 Russian Silver Trompe-l’oeil cake basket in the style of Pavel Ovchinnikov

Rare cake basket in the style of Pavel Ovchinnikov

Bread Basket by Ovchinnikov 1873

Cake basket. Moscow circa 1890

Russian silver trompe l’oeil box with cover. Pavel Akimov Ovchinnikov, circa 1900

Silver box with cover. Pavel Akimov Ovchinnikov, circa 1900

Russian silver trompe l’oeil cake basket having a swing handle realistically chased to simulate a wicker basket draped with a damask napkin

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

Russian Silver Trompe-l’oeil 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

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