Yes it is a genuine Ovchinnikov salt cellar. It is simple in design and form but made in a quality way. Many court suppliers made also more simple items for the bourgeois in addition to the high end luxury items for the nobility in the court.
Here is an example of a fake Ovchinnikov salt cellar with same kind of simple design and form. As you can compare yours is of much better quality.
Juke* wrote: Tue May 13, 2025 7:33 am
Hi!
Here is an example of a fake Ovchinnikov salt cellar with same kind of simple design and form. As you can compare yours is of much better quality.
Good afternoon.
I think your second item is also authentic.
Unfortunately the second item shown is fake. There are several indications which clearly shows this:
- the quality is clearly not the quality of Ovchinnikov
- the twisted silver wire is a mess and is badly attached to the item (don't go in straight lines)
- the double headed eagle mark looks not to be a real punch (probably casted)
- the definitive sign of it being a fake is that the double headed eagle mark has been put on the original makers mark of which remains can be seen
- the purity with the city mark is probably neither original, there seems also previously being another mark which has been cut away
- etc.
Good afternoon.
Various craftsmen worked for Ovchinnikov, some of whom were not very good.
In this case, Ovchinnikov acted as a retailer. Therefore, he stamped the master's mark on top with his own.
There are other signs that indicate the authenticity of the product.
Here, gold foil is placed under the red enamel.
I have not yet encountered such a technique on fakes.
I share Juke's opinion it is fake. Just look at the punches and compare them with the punches on the first object, over stamping, poor handicraft etc etc...Ovchinnikov produced quality not junk.