The basket is done in a fine classical Russian form, resting on three ball form
feet and with a swinging handle. One side of the basket has a beautifully hand
engraved design of various flowers and foliage, with a scroll-enclosed cartouche
in the center. The cartouche has a monogram of SB in overlapping decorative
lettering.
The basket is stamped on the underside with the Russian kokoshnik hallmark,
containing 84 zolotnik for a guarantee of 875 silver purity and the assayer's
initials for Ivan Sergeyevich Lebedkin, a Moscow assayer active 1898-1914. There
is also a maker's mark we unfortunately do not recognize. This maker's mark as
well as a smaller version of the kokoshnik mark appear on both hinges of the
handle, as well on the interior of the handle itself.
This piece is in great overall condition. Two of the feet have tiny dings to the sides,
which are not noticeable without turning the piece over and inspecting it very
carefully. There are no splits, no breaks, no dents, no monogram removals, and
no repairs.
The basket is about 4 1/2 inches in diameter and stands about 2 1/8 inches
tall to the rim, or about 4 1/4 inches to the top of the handle.
This piece weighs 183 grams or 6.5 regular ounces.
-jm
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