Six Russian silver-gilt niello spoons with architectural scenes

The six spoons have been intricately ornamented with images of grand Russian buildings and architecture.

Each of the spoons has been cast in silver-gilt. On each, the silver back of the spoon bowl has been incised with a drawing of a Russian building, and these lines filled with a black-coloured inlay, called niello (made as a mixture of sulphur, copper, silver and lead). The resulting image is bold and print-like, but also detailed. In the area below the niello drawing, the silver has been embossed with decorative, swirling patterns.

Near the end, the stem of the spoons changes from plain silver-gilt to a fluted niello body with a silver band wound around it. The spoons terminate in a simple, teardrop-shaped end.

The set is stored within a fitted presentation case.

Each spoon: Height 14cm, width 2cm
Presentation case: Height 4cm, width 20cm, depth 18cm
Combined weight of the spoons: 120grams