A parcel-gilt and niello tankard
Cyrillic mark of Vasilii Semenov, Moscow, 1866
The slightly tapering cylindrical body with a niello band of strapwork and four cartouches, two enclosing views of the Kremlin, one with later inscription, Den 10 December 1878, between gilt reeded bands, the rim with a Russian adage 'Beer is not a wonder and mead is nothing to boast about but the main thing is that love is precious', the scroll handle and hinged cover with strapwork detail, the latter with pierced thumb-piece and faceted rim, marked under cover and base
4 5/8 in. (11.7 cm.) high
A parcel-gilt and niello tankard
Cyrillic mark of Vasilii Semenov, Moscow, 1866
The slightly tapering cylindrical body with a niello band of strapwork and four cartouches, two enclosing views of the Kremlin, one with later inscription, Den 10 December 1878, between gilt reeded bands, the rim with a Russian adage 'Beer is not a wonder and mead is nothing to boast about but the main thing is that love is precious', the scroll handle and hinged cover with strapwork detail, the latter with pierced thumb-piece and faceted rim, marked under cover and base
4 5/8 in. (11.7 cm.) high
