A parcel-gilt tankard
Lot 137 VARIOUS PROPERTIES

A parcel-gilt tankard

CYRILLIC MARK OF PAVEL OVCHINNIKOV WITH THE IMPERIAL WARRANT, MOSCOW, 1883, WITH LATER SOVIET CONTROL MARKS

Closed24 November 2008

Price Realised

GBP 18,750

More Information

How to sell

A parcel-gilt tankard
Cyrillic mark of Pavel Ovchinnikov with the Imperial warrant, Moscow, 1883, with later Soviet control marks
Cylindrical, the slightly spreading base chased and engraved to simulate water, with fish diving in and out, with hammered sides, neck, hinged cover and integral thumb-piece, the sides chased, engraved and applied with gilt irises and dragonflies, the irises extending around the plain handle, with a beetle above, the cover applied with a lizard watching a fly, marked under base and cover
11 1/8 in. (28.5 cm.) high
46 oz. (1,443 gr.)

Specialist note

The design for the present tankard is taken from the famous Tiffany pitcher in the Japanesque style which was designed by Edward C. Moore for the Paris Exhibition of 1878.

This exemplifies how the artists in Europe and North America followed the broader Aesthetic Movement, precursor of the Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau movements, with strong influence from Japanese exports after trading commenced in 1853. The integration of far-Eastern form, techniques and natural ornament (seen here in the iris, dragonflies, lizard and carp) were visible in furniture, silver, porcelain and glass.

This free movement of design, accelerated by the major worldwide exhibitions of the 19th century, was reciprocated for example by the traditional Russian enamels exported to America for retail by Tiffany, such as lots 118 and 172 in the present sale.