ANTIQUE 84 SILVER RUSSIAN COLORFUL SHADED ENAMEL OPEN SALT CELLAR 11TH ARTEL

Description

ANTIQUE 84 SILVER RUSSIAN COLORFUL SHADED ENAMEL OPEN SALT CELLAR 11
TH
ARTEL
This is a beautiful Russian made silver salt cellar, sitting on three little ball feet, with hand-painted shaded enamel decoration over a floral motif.
So tiny and yet such a beautiful work of art.
This particular piece has been in my personal collection since the year 1997.
The salt in my photos is the actual piece you will receive.
Please be sure to read the “AGE AND CONDITION” and “
Approximate Dimensions”
paragraphs below.
This piece is made in the hand enameled cloisonné technique for which the Russian craftsmen & craftswomen are so famous for.
The enamel decoration is incredibly intricate and detailed with the majority of the sides being covered in the lovely shaded enamel work, which is then surrounded by areas of silver with vermeil gold gilding or wash, which has now tarnished over time.
This piece has particularly beautiful shaded enamel work and is extremely colorful, displaying at least seven (7) different colors of enamel by my count.
The shading work on the enamel and the associated decorative silver work is very nice quality.
It is a very skillfully made and a very high-quality little salt cellar.
Information on these hallmarks was researched on the “silvercollection” website and the “.925-1000” website.
John Atzbach, a very reputable and respected Russian antiques dealer, also wrote an extremely informative article on Russian enamels and makers for the book
The Open Salt Compendium
by Sandra Jzyk & Nina Robertson.
I also consulted the book
Guide to Russian Silver Hallmarks
by Paul L Paulson
Similarly shaped and decorated pieces, are pictured in
the book
The Open Salt Compendium
by Sandra Jzyk & Nina Robertson on pages 140 and 141.
This is a
very beautiful piece of Russian enamel and a very nice high-quality piece and a gorgeous little work of art.
The underside of the salt in this sale is clearly hallmarked with two marks.
First it is h
allmarked with the maker’s mark “11A” for the 11
th
Artel.
Artels were small informal co-ops of skilled artisans that existed in Imperial Russia.
The second hallmark is a “2
nd
Kokoshnik” mark showing an “84” for the grade of silver (slightly below sterling) and the Greek letter “Delta” for Moscow.
This mark would date this piece to between 1908 and 1926.
I do my best to describe all items as accurately as possible and to the best of my ability.
Some of my photos may be somewhat lighter or darker than actual to better show detail or color.
However, do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, comments, or with requests for additional pictures.
I will get back to you as soon as I am able.
I want your transaction with me to be exactly the way I want mine to be when I am the buyer.
Please take a moment and visit our eBay store “TNK Antiques”.
You can access our store through a link in any of our eBay listings.
Our store has many unique and interesting items in several different categories from 35 years of our dealing and collecting antiques and collectables.
Age and Condition
Circa 1908 – 1926.
It is in very near mint original condition.
Please look closely at the photos as they are an important part of my description of this item.
There are two tiny places that I see where the cloisonne wires have pulled away from the enamel; which may be from the making or possibly not.
Looking at them using a loupe did not help me decide.
Regardless, all sides of the salt are pictured and you can see these if you look carefully at photos # 5 and # 6 around the little red triangular areas.
I will also mention that there is the expected loss of the gold wash and tarnish to the metal.
I see no loss, cracks or repairs to the enamel.
I see no other dents, dings or breaks to the silver.
I will also mention that the salt appears to tilt slightly at times, when it is turned 360 degrees on a flat surface.
There may also be some very minor age-related wear or signs of use consistent with the age of the piece.
Please keep in mind these photos may be blown up at least 8-10 times normal, so anything you see will look 8-10 times larger in the photos than it really is.
Please note: if you see a dark spot in the photos it is from my camera and is not a mark on the piece.
It will be either just to the right of center towards the bottom or slightly above center on the right side of the photo.
Approximate Dimensions
About 1.25” (3.2 cm) in diameter at the widest point and sits about .75” (1.9 cm) off the table.
Approximate Weight
About .75 ounce (22 grams).
SALES TAX
Depending on which state you live in eBay may add State Sales Tax on your purchase.
PAYMENT, SHIPPING, Insurance & PACKAGING
For auctions, if you do not send an instant payment through PayPal, we will send you an invoice within 24 hours of the end of the auction.
PayPal is our preferred method for receiving funds and payment is expected within 3 days of the completion of any auction.
We will normally ship within 1-2 business days of receiving payment in our PayPal account.
Shipment will be via USPS First Class mail at no additional shipping cost to the buyer in the USA.
A delivery confirmation (provides electronic tracking of the shipment) is included with all domestic shipments paid for through PayPal.
We always do our best to combine shipping costs to save you as much as possible on shipping.
If you want your package insured, you must let us know in advance of payment.
Please take the shipping costs into account when bidding.
If you purchase more than one of our open salt cellars, individual nut dishes or toothpick holders, at the same time, we will refund all but one of the shipping charges that eBay charges you.
If the items are set up as “Free Shipping” and you buy more than one of our open salt cellars, individual nut dishes or toothpick holders at the same time we will refund you $ 4.00 for each piece you buy, after the first one.
Please note: this does not include salt cellars, individual nut dishes or toothpick holders sold in groups; only one (1) $ 4.00 refund in this manner will be issued per each group or lot of pieces sold as a group or lot.
All items will be professionally packaged for maximum protection in shipping.
INTERNATIONAL BUYERS
The only form of payment I accept from international buyers is Pay Pal.
No exceptions!
International shipments will encounter longer shipping times due to distance and Customs requirements.
The USPS says 6-10 business days, but it can take longer.
International buyers are responsible for all customs fees, duties, import taxes or other related customs or import charges and all our out-of-pocket costs incurred in the shipment of packages internationally.
International shipment options will be via USPS First Class Mail (when the item being shipped meets the requirements of that service) or Priority Mail when it does not.
DO NOT ask us to show a lesser value on the Customs Forms than the item sold for, or to ship the item purchased item as a gift.
Ebay requires us to report any buyer to them who requests this
.
RETURN POLICY
If for some reason you are unhappy with the item you purchased and would like to return it, please contact me within 14 days to discuss the details.
Refunds will be based on the original selling price of the item only and less any fees charged by eBay.
Buyers to pay all shipping costs both ways unless I substantially misrepresented the item or its condition.
Items must be returned within 30 days of you receiving it and in the same condition as originally shipped.