Silver evening purse (minaudière), St. Petersburg, 1904–1908
Description
Medium: silver (84 zolotniki standard, approx. 875‰), samorodok finish, set with turquoise and green stone
Weight: 280 g; Dimensions: 22 x 7.3 x 1.8 cm (chain length 46 cm)
Hallmarks: St. Petersburg city mark; assay mark of Alexandr Romanovich Dobrovolsky; “84” standard mark (zolotniki, approx. 875‰ silver); maker’s mark “Adams”; imperial Warrant mark; Romanian control mark (unconfirmed)
Provenance
Private Collection, Romania
Location
Bucharest, Romania
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Description
A rectangular evening purse with hinged frame and clasp, the surface treated in samorodok technique, producing a granular, nugget-like texture through controlled melting and rapid cooling of the silver. The clasp is set with a cabochon turquoise, while the thumbpiece is adorned with a cabochon green stone, both providing chromatic contrast to the textured silver ground.
The object reflects early 20th-century Russian production, where experimental surface treatments and precious stone accents are integrated into functional accessories. The association with the Adams workshop on Nevsky Prospekt situates the piece within a prestigious commercial context in St. Petersburg.
The hallmarks indicate St. Petersburg assay, with the initials of the assay master Alexandr Romanovich Dobrovolsky and the 84 zolotniki standard (approx. 875‰). The presence of the Imperial Warrant mark attests to the workshop’s status as supplier to the Imperial Court, reflecting adherence to high standards of manufacture. A Romanian control mark suggests later circulation within Romania.
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