Two silver-gilt and cloisonné enamel Russian salts with spoons

Executed in gilt silver with cloisonné enamel decoration, these curious and delicate open salts with spoons were made in Russia around the turn of the twentieth century. One is marked for the maker Lev Fridrikhovitch Oleks, dating from 1892. Although not an identical pair, they feature a very similar manner of decoration, with bands of dots, one white and one blue, around the top and bottom of the frieze on the outside. Similar floral and arcing motifs can be seen on both, and the spoons both cultminate in a crown-shaped finial. As decorative objects, they are excellent examples of late nineteenth century and early twentieth Russian aristocratic style and sophistication. Height 2.5cm, diameter 4cm