Silver gilt kovsch

Silver gilt Kovsch, part of the Russian Collection at Dorich House, Kingston.
Silver gilt kovsch with semi-precious stones. Neo-Russian Revival style, workbook pattern 1765 by Karl Gustavovich. Faberge, Moscow, 1908-17

This boat-shaped object with a single handle is known as a kovsch, a type of festive drinking vessel or a ladle. It was designed and manufactured by the famous Russian firm of Fabergé, established by Gustav Fabergé in St Petersburg in 1842. The firm’s craftspeople and designers created exquisite objects for the elite of Russian society, including the famous Imperial Easter Eggs. The Dorich House kovsch dates from the early 20th century. It is in the Russian Revival style which looks back to Russian artistic traditions before Peter the Great’s efforts to westernise Russia.

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