A VERY FINE and MASSIVE antique Russian gilded silver and shaded cloisonne enamel kovsh by Nicholas Alexeev enriched with cabochon jewels, made in Moscow between 1899 and 1908. The lobed body is enameled with stylized flowers in the early 18th century taste on a gilded stippled ground.
Length 9 in. (22,6 cm). Width 6 in. (15 cm). Weight 564 g (19,9 oz).
Provenance:
Sotheby Parke Bernet sale, New York, June 8, 1978 lot 145.
Sotheby Parke Bernet sale, New York, November 29, 1978, lot 436 ($14,000)
Sotheby’s Russian Sale, New York, April 15-16, 2008, lot 441 ($55,000)
The handle is set with one red and two green cabochon stones.
Exceptional cloisonne enamel work.
Marked with 84 zolotniks standard (875 silver) with initials of Moscow assay master Ivan Lebedkin, and workmaster’s initials ‘H.A.’ for Nicholas Alexeev. Scratched inventory number C1571.