Hi -
a nice kovsh from the 6th Moscow Artel. In contrary to the many everywhere offered "authentic" kovshi is the handle of this kovsh according to the laws also marked. A must!
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Regards
Goldstein
Kovsh from 6th Moscow Artel
Re: Kovsh from 6th Moscow Artel
An excellent piece, congratulations!
Re: Kovsh from 6th Moscow Artel
Hi,
Beautiful !
The legislation has been discussed, but I always forget; when did it become obligatory to mark all parts prior to assembling (soldering) the piece ?
There is genuine silver from mid 19th century and earlier without all parts being marked.
Thank you.
Regards
Beautiful !
The legislation has been discussed, but I always forget; when did it become obligatory to mark all parts prior to assembling (soldering) the piece ?
There is genuine silver from mid 19th century and earlier without all parts being marked.
Thank you.
Regards
Re: Kovsh from 6th Moscow Artel
Hi Ag2012 -
I think it was 1899. All major parts should/must be marked. Sometimes you find excessive marked objects with maker´s name and assay mark - sometimes you find the maker´s mark and the assay mark only once - but the small round control mark on the major parts. Most common is maker´smark and assay mark and one control mark next to both of them. It seems that the regulation was treated individually to avoid a stamp orgy.
But if one of these "pattern" is missing - it probably is a fake - no matter how authentic it looks or how convincingly the accomanying story of the vendor sounds.
In my experience enamel kovshi without marked handles are always fake. Exeption: Niello kovshi from the lawresisting Caucasus region.....
Regards
Goldstein
I think it was 1899. All major parts should/must be marked. Sometimes you find excessive marked objects with maker´s name and assay mark - sometimes you find the maker´s mark and the assay mark only once - but the small round control mark on the major parts. Most common is maker´smark and assay mark and one control mark next to both of them. It seems that the regulation was treated individually to avoid a stamp orgy.
But if one of these "pattern" is missing - it probably is a fake - no matter how authentic it looks or how convincingly the accomanying story of the vendor sounds.
In my experience enamel kovshi without marked handles are always fake. Exeption: Niello kovshi from the lawresisting Caucasus region.....
Regards
Goldstein
Re: Kovsh from 6th Moscow Artel
Please Goldstein!
It started with the ukaz of 1857 when it was stipulated that the object must be brought to the assay office in pieces and unfinished but punched with the maker's mark. One of the reasons for this was that objects could be produced abroad and imported unmarked to Russia. Then it was tested, hallmarked and bore therefore an authentic Russian hallmark. In addition, in 1861 the assay charter stipulates that gold and silver objects that consisted of several parts should not be soldered together. They were marked part by part in the assay office with special hallmarks introduced at the same time. All in order to avoid imported goods to be sold as "Russian made" and evading duty payments. A new Import mark ПТ was as well introduced in 1861. However, you will find "Russian" objects with only a hallmark. These are not Russian made but imported goods brought to the assaying office by the customs in order to test the fineness not being less than 84 zolotnik. If it was >84, then it was hallmarked.
This is actually a much longer story, but as an answer to AG2012 question. As from mid 19th century. Later in the early 20th century the law was "mitigated".
It started with the ukaz of 1857 when it was stipulated that the object must be brought to the assay office in pieces and unfinished but punched with the maker's mark. One of the reasons for this was that objects could be produced abroad and imported unmarked to Russia. Then it was tested, hallmarked and bore therefore an authentic Russian hallmark. In addition, in 1861 the assay charter stipulates that gold and silver objects that consisted of several parts should not be soldered together. They were marked part by part in the assay office with special hallmarks introduced at the same time. All in order to avoid imported goods to be sold as "Russian made" and evading duty payments. A new Import mark ПТ was as well introduced in 1861. However, you will find "Russian" objects with only a hallmark. These are not Russian made but imported goods brought to the assaying office by the customs in order to test the fineness not being less than 84 zolotnik. If it was >84, then it was hallmarked.
This is actually a much longer story, but as an answer to AG2012 question. As from mid 19th century. Later in the early 20th century the law was "mitigated".
Re: Kovsh from 6th Moscow Artel
Hi,
Thank you for clarifying the issue.
Legislation and years listed here. Cannot find full text, though.
Regards
Thank you for clarifying the issue.
Legislation and years listed here. Cannot find full text, though.
Regards
Re: Kovsh from 6th Moscow Artel
AG2012
Not much help with that. It is only a list of when the ukaz/assay charters were published. However, you see the two years 1857 and 1861 I already mentioned. Find the charters and read them. They are very interesting reading.
Not much help with that. It is only a list of when the ukaz/assay charters were published. However, you see the two years 1857 and 1861 I already mentioned. Find the charters and read them. They are very interesting reading.
Re: Kovsh from 6th Moscow Artel
Ahh, should have added. The year 1896 is the year when it was decided to introduce the new hallmark a kokshink mark in 1898. It happened during the latter part of 1898. That is the period for the left looking incorrect kokshnik with small fineness figures. As from 1.1.1899 a new kokshnik was released. It has big fineness figures and is found in three versions. As it can be seen here sometimes it is good to take a look at the books too.
Re: Kovsh from 6th Moscow Artel
Hi -
Perhaps one should make a compilation of photos of real, existing, authentic objects to show what was law and what was really stamped in the years 1857-1886. I have quite different experiences! Even after 1899 the guidelines were not always fulfilled.
Regards
Goldstein
Perhaps one should make a compilation of photos of real, existing, authentic objects to show what was law and what was really stamped in the years 1857-1886. I have quite different experiences! Even after 1899 the guidelines were not always fulfilled.
Regards
Goldstein
Re: Kovsh from 6th Moscow Artel
Indeed an excellent idea Goldstein. You could open a new thread e.g. "Anomalies in Russian silver" and show examples from your collection and we could discuss what is what and why! This forum is rather quiet nowadays.