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. PetersburgA 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 dragonfliesDish and napkin souvenir, enameled silver. Jeweler Pavel Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1872Pavel Sazikov silver bread tray. Circa 1880Rare cake basket in the style of Pavel OvchinnikovBread Basket by Ovchinnikov 1873Cake basket. Moscow circa 1890Silver box with cover. Pavel Akimov Ovchinnikov, circa 1900Russian cake basket having a swing handle realistically chased to simulate a wicker basket draped with a damask napkinBread basket, Moscow 1886. Chased to imitate basketweaveSugar basket, Moscow 1886. Chased to imitate basketweaveWine 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 IvanovBread Basket and napkin. Jeweler Pavel Ovchinnikov 1873, MoscowBasket and napkin. Jeweler Pavel Ovchinnikov 1873, MoscowBread Basket and napkin. Jeweler Pavel Ovchinnikov 1879, MoscowTowel-napkin. Jeweler Pavel Ovchinnikov, 1877Vase, 19th centuryA 19th century Ash tray in the form of a bast shoe. Mark of Ivan Khlebnikov, St. Petersburg, 1878.Lidded tankard, St. Petersburg, marked SasikowcloseupLidded tankard, St. Petersburg, closeup
