c. 1850s Petr Lobanov Pair of Antique Russian Silver-Gilt Carriage or Traveling Cups, Moscow 84 Silver (212 g)

$2,400.00
A rare and unusually fine pair of Russian Imperial silver-gilt cups by the Moscow silversmith Petr Lobanov (П.А.Л.), apparently dating to the 1850s. Each cup is marked at the rim with the Moscow city mark, 84 zolotnik silver standard, Lobanov's Cyrillic maker's mark, and the mark of assay master Ivan Avdeyev (И.А.). The final digit of the date is indistinct, but the first three digits appear unequivocally to be 185, making these potentially earlier than the traditionally published working dates for Lobanov. Interestingly, an auction record now documents a Lobanov cup bearing the П.А.Л. mark and a date of 1858, providing particularly compelling support for an earlier period of activity than some reference works indicate. The cups are exceptionally unusual in construction: the cup and stem/foot assembly are detachable by means of a threaded connection, allowing each vessel to be disassembled into two sections. This appears to be an intentional feature rather than a later alteration and may relate to the practical transport of a tall drinking vessel. At approximately 6 inches (15.2 cm) high, yet holding only about 2 fluid ounces, the proportions are distinctly ceremonial and make these an unusual form among Russian silver drinking vessels. The bowls and feet are extensively and finely engraved, while the baluster stems and central spherical elements are intentionally left plain, creating a particularly effective contrast. Both cups retain their original gilding extremely well, with only minimal loss, and are free of damage or repairs. The pair weighs approximately 212 grams combined. Petr Lobanov is a documented Moscow silversmith whose mark, П.А.Л., is recorded on 84-standard silver objects including drinking vessels. Museum and reference examples establish his work in Moscow, while the recently documented 1858 example is especially relevant to the apparently early date of the present pair. Maker: Petr Lobanov (П.А.Л.) Assay Master: Ivan Avdeyev (И.А.) Place: Moscow, Russia Date: c. 1850s; final date digit indistinct Silver: 84 zolotnik (.875) Finish: Silver-gilt, engraved Height: 6 in. (15.2 cm) each Capacity: approximately 2 fl. oz. each Weight: 212 g combined Condition: Excellent; minimal loss to gilding; no damage or repairs CODE: >750MAX1:2 Check out some other silver holloware from around the world: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP?ref=shop_sugg§ion_id=6783258 Or just browse the whole shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP
A rare and unusually fine pair of Russian Imperial silver-gilt cups by the Moscow silversmith Petr Lobanov (П.А.Л.), apparently dating to the 1850s. Each cup is marked at the rim with the Moscow city mark, 84 zolotnik silver standard, Lobanov's Cyrillic maker's mark, and the mark of assay master Ivan Avdeyev (И.А.). The final digit of the date is indistinct, but the first three digits appear unequivocally to be 185, making these potentially earlier than the traditionally published working dates for Lobanov. Interestingly, an auction record now documents a Lobanov cup bearing the П.А.Л. mark and a date of 1858, providing particularly compelling support for an earlier period of activity than some reference works indicate. The cups are exceptionally unusual in construction: the cup and stem/foot assembly are detachable by means of a threaded connection, allowing each vessel to be disassembled into two sections. This appears to be an intentional feature rather than a later alteration and may relate to the practical transport of a tall drinking vessel. At approximately 6 inches (15.2 cm) high, yet holding only about 2 fluid ounces, the proportions are distinctly ceremonial and make these an unusual form among Russian silver drinking vessels. The bowls and feet are extensively and finely engraved, while the baluster stems and central spherical elements are intentionally left plain, creating a particularly effective contrast. Both cups retain their original gilding extremely well, with only minimal loss, and are free of damage or repairs. The pair weighs approximately 212 grams combined. Petr Lobanov is a documented Moscow silversmith whose mark, П.А.Л., is recorded on 84-standard silver objects including drinking vessels. Museum and reference examples establish his work in Moscow, while the recently documented 1858 example is especially relevant to the apparently early date of the present pair. Maker: Petr Lobanov (П.А.Л.) Assay Master: Ivan Avdeyev (И.А.) Place: Moscow, Russia Date: c. 1850s; final date digit indistinct Silver: 84 zolotnik (.875) Finish: Silver-gilt, engraved Height: 6 in. (15.2 cm) each Capacity: approximately 2 fl. oz. each Weight: 212 g combined Condition: Excellent; minimal loss to gilding; no damage or repairs CODE: >750MAX1:2 Check out some other silver holloware from around the world: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP?ref=shop_sugg§ion_id=6783258 Or just browse the whole shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP