Antique silver-gilt and cloisonné enamel Kovsch

This Kovsch (an ornamental vessel) was crafted in c. 1910 in Imperial Russia. The Kovsch is of largely traditional form, with a moderately curved profile rising into a peaked prow and with a hooked handle mounted at the opposite side. The body of the Kovsch, which is formed of 875 grade silver and is silver-gilt throughout, is profusely decorated with cloisonné enamelwork. The enamelwork, which is set above a dappled silver-gilt ground, is wrought into a variety of foliate motifs and partial arabesques, all encompassed within silver-gilt rope twist cloison wire. The cloisons are infilled with white, lilac, red, green, and, most prominently, light blue enamel. Light blue enamel beads encircle the Kovsch below the rim and above the base, bounding the composition. The top of the handle is similarly decorated.

The Kovsch is stamped underneath with ‘84’, which designates 875 grade silver, and with an indistinct mark, which may signify the maker or assayer.