Russian Silver Spice Tower - Antique 1880

Description

This exceptional antique Russian silver spice box has been modelled in the form of a tower.

The rounded waisted shaped spice box is ornamented with impressive embossed foliate and scrolling leaf decoration, accented with a matte texture.

This impressive vessel is fitted with a hallmarked hinged door accented with a plain fingerpiece and incorporated latch.

The upper portion of this impressive silver spice tower* is embellished with plain silver supports to form a bell tower incorporating an articulated functional bell.

This bell tower is surmounted with a tapering chute ornamented with engraved ornamentation and terminating with a large hallmarked undulating shaped flag.

The spice compartment supports four hallmarked silver bells and surmounts a circular knopped pedestal to a square collet style base.

The hallmarks to the surface of the square base include:

Maker's Mark: Reiner (Abraham Reiner/Абрахам Реинер)

Assay mark: O.C 1880 (Josef Sosnkowski/Осип Сосоковский)

Silver quality/purity mark: 84 (84 zolotniks**)

City Mark: Warsaw*** (Варщава)

Such original Russian antique silver spice towers are becoming increasingly difficult to locate.

* A spice box is used to hold sweet-smelling herbs/spices and can be fashioned in many forms. As of the 16th century a very common form is that of a tower, influenced by developments in architecture. The spice tower is used to bring comfort to a Jew as they transition through Sabbath to their new week, receiving their extra soul known as a 'neshama yetera'

** 84 zolotniki is equivalent to 875/1000 or .875 standard silver

*** Warsaw is located in Poland; however from 1852-1899 there was an Imperial Russian Assay office within the city and they produced items bearing the Imperial Eagle as their City mark.

Learn more about Russian silverware history