Tsar of Russia Silver Flatware Set

A gilded silver and steel 3 piece flatware set from the Grape flatware service

of Grand Duke Alexander Nikolaevich, later Tsar Alexander II (ruled 1855-1881).

Made in St. Petersburg in 1847-1848 by the firm of Nicholls & Plincke, silver and goldsmiths to the Imperial Court.

The flatware is elaborately decorated with grape motives

and symbols of Royal ownership – double headed eagle surrounded by the chain of the Order of Saint Andrew on the front,

and monogram ‘AH’ on the back, both surmounted by the Russian Imperial crown.

Total weight 290 grams (10.2 oz)

Spoon – 19.4 cm (7 1/2 in.), fork – 19.4 cm (7 1/2 in.), knife – 22.2 cm (8 3/4 in.)

An identical 3 piece set is in the collection of the Peterhof museum.

The spoon is marked with 84 zolotnik old Russian silver standard (875/1000) with the coat-of-arms of St. Petersburg,

date ‘1847’ with initials ‘ Д Т ‘ for assay master Dmitry Tverskoy,

and workmaster’s initials ‘ I F F ‘ for Johan Fredrik Falck.

The fork has a similar set of marks but with the date ‘ 1848 ‘.

The steel blade of the knife is struck with initials ‘ N & P ‘ for Nicholls and Plincke.

The handle is marked with 84 silver standard and workmaster’s initials ‘ I F F ‘.