Russian silver salt cellar (“salt throne”), Moscow, 1890
Description
Medium: silver (84 zolotniki standard, approx. 875‰) with niello
Weight: 100 g; Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.2 x 10.8 cm
Hallmarks: Moscow city mark; “84” standard mark (zolotniki, approx. 875‰ silver); assay mark “АП” (Vasilii Matveevich Asmarin), dated 1890; maker’s mark “МГ” (Cyrillic, unidentified)
Provenance
Private Collection, Romania
Location
Bucharest, Romania
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Description
A Russian salt cellar of traditional “salt throne” type, cast, engraved and pierced, with the back panel rising in the form of a stylised kokoshnik. The object is conceived as a miniature architectural seat, with the salt compartment placed at the front and the vertical back forming the lid.
The rear panel is richly pierced, echoing the silhouette of ceremonial headdresses, while the surfaces are articulated with engraved ornament. The form reflects a typology specific to Russian silver between the mid-19th century and the early 20th century, where such pieces functioned both as tableware and as symbolic objects associated with hospitality rituals involving bread and salt.
The hallmarks confirm Moscow production in 1890, with the 84 zolotniki standard (approx. 875‰ silver) and the assay mark of Vasilii Matveevich Asmarin. The maker’s mark “МГ” (MG in Cyrillic) remains unidentified.
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