Imperial Russian Niello Silver Snuff Box
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
19th c.
This antique Imperial Russian snuff box is crafted from niello silver, featuring a hinged lid decorated with an intricately engraved cityscape depicting a landmark.
The design is framed by a geometric border, and the exterior surface bears the engraved inscription 'R. BIORSTAD.' The interior of the box is finished with a gold wash. Hallmarks on the piece include an unidentified maker's mark, the 84 zolotnik silver purity mark, the Moscow city stamp, and the assayer's mark of Nikolay Dubrovin. The snuff box has a total weight of 58.8 grams and measures 0.55 inches in height, 1.75 inches in width, and 2.5 inches in length.
This item is representative of the high-quality silversmithing produced in Russia during the 19th century, utilizing the distinctive niello technique, which involves filling engraved lines with a black metallic alloy to create high-contrast decorative imagery.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Weight
- 58.8g
- Material
- niello silver, gold wash
- Dimensions
- 0.55" x 1.75" x 2.5"
Technical characteristics
- Assay mark
- Nikolay Dubrovin
- City stamp
- Moscow
- Purity mark
- 84 zolotnik
Design
- Lid motif
- cityscape with landmark
- Inscription
- R. BIORSTAD
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.