Russian silver-gilt and cloisonné enamel kovsch vessel

This richly detailed Kovsch (ornamental drinking vessel or ladle) was created by the 20th Artel in c.1910. The body of the Kovsch, which is made of silver-gilt, is of traditional form and features a raised, beaked prow and an elongated hook handle.

The decorative scheme features swirling arabesques and floral motifs of polychrome cloisonné enamel. The cloisons, which are coloured with soft pastel shades of green, blue, yellow, and red, are set upon a grey-brown ground. The rim of the vessel and the upper edge of the handle feature silver ropework. The Kovsch sits upon a flat base with an edge of finely wrought ropework.