Wedding Salt Shaker For The Karavaï, P.a. Ovchinnikov Company, Russia, Moscow, 1874

Silver wedding salt cellar for the ceremonial karavai, crafted at Pavel Akimovich Ovchinnikov’s workshop in Moscow in 1874. This piece is an indispensable element of the traditional bread-and-salt ritual, a symbol of hospitality, prosperity, and a heartfelt blessing bestowed upon the new family. In its design, the salt cellar is shaped like a stylized tablecloth with soft, flowing folds, evoking the effect of draped fabric.

The surface is adorned with chiseled floral rosettes and stylized plant motifs arranged in a rhythmic ornamental pattern. The lower edge is highlighted by a scalloped frieze composed of repeating circular elements. A silver chain, elegantly draped across the surface of the “fabric,” adds an additional decorative accent.

The removable upper bowl is decorated with a band of champlevé enamel in the traditional palette of blues, light blues, and greens characteristic of the Moscow School. A central four-lobed medallion is harmoniously integrated into the composition, visually connecting the enameled band to the body of the object. The interior of the cup is gilded, emphasizing the ceremonial nature of the piece and in keeping with the tradition of ritual silver objects.

The high artistic standard of the engraving, the precision of the ornamental design, and the quality of the enamel attest to the work of first-rate masters at the Ovchinnikov workshop during its heyday.

Hallmarks: Full house mark beneath the double-headed eagle “P. Ovchinnikov”; small oval mark “P.O.”; Moscow city hallmark for the year 1874; initials of the master assayer “V.S.” with the date “1874”; silver fineness “84” on the outer surface.

Dimensions: Height approx. 9 cm; base diameter approx. 14 cm.

Weight: 208 g.

Condition: Good.

ID-ANTQ-5276