Russian silver and cloisonné enamel kovsch

This Imperial era Kovsch (or Kovsh, an ornamental vessel or ladle) was produced at the start of the 20^th Century. The Kovsch is made of solid 875 grade silver. It is of traditional oval form and features a rim with a concave profile, a hooked and elongated handle, and a peaked mount upon the prow, the form of which imitates the leaf motifs present within the arabesques that decorate the body. The body of the Kovsch stands upon an oval polished silver base.

The body of the Kovsch is richly ornamented with cloisonné enamel. A band fashioned in dual shades of blue bounds the rim from the body and contains three circular medallions on each side of the Kovsch. Each medallion holds a stylised floral motif. The belly of the body features beautifully wrought scrolling arabesques over dappled silver ground. The individual cloisons are encompassed by rope twist cloison wire and are executed in dark and light blue, green, red, and white enamel.

The Kovsch is marked underside ‘AO’ and with ‘84’, which signifies 875 grade silver.