Silver Sculpture “mining Engineer.” 1st Moscow Artel, 1908–1917

A rare silver sculpture from the early 20th century, created by the 1st Moscow Artel, depicting a Russian mining engineer during the era of industrialization. The finely crafted figure is depicted wearing a work apron, holding a hammer in his hand, and wearing a cap bearing the insignia of the Imperial Department of Mines. It stands atop a solid steel shaft—a symbol of Russia’s industrial power and technical progress. The stone base, designed to resemble mined ore, lends the work a striking symbolic depth. The sculpture stands out for its expressiveness and the refinement of its details: from the folds of the clothing to the beard, which conveys the figure’s determination. Mining engineers played a central role in the development of metallurgy and the extractive industries of the Russian Empire, particularly on the eve of World War I. The elements of the uniform and the insignia faithfully correspond to the historical standards of the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Such presentation sculptures were given to important clients and government officials or displayed at industrial exhibitions in the early 20th century.

Condition: Very good condition. Original patina. Hallmarks fully legible.

Dimensions: Height — 18 cm. Width: 13 cm. Weight: 1010 g.

Hallmarks: Hallmark of the Moscow Goldsmiths’ Administration (1908–1917)—a woman’s head wearing a kokoshnik turned to the right, with the silver mark “84”; master’s hallmark 1-яА in a rectangular cartouche with beveled corners — 1st Moscow Jewelers’ Artel.

ID-ANTQ-12213