Moscow Spoons---Maker Info Request

[dognose]

Hi,

This is a nice set of silver gilt spoons assayed at Moscow in 1891.



My references show that the maker is V.M.Ashmarin and that he was working 1883-1908. However my maker's mark has what appears to be a 'Head' contained within a circle prefixing the maker's initials (BMA).



The spoons are 5 1/2" (14cm) in length with engraved backs to the fig shaped bowls. They were assayed by Lev Oleks, assayer at Moscow 1890-1896.



The spoons appear to be very much handmade, the variation between the spoons is very noticeable as is the engraving.



The spoons were retailed by Bernhard Jansohn, Gr.Neustrasse 15, Riga.

Any information on the 'Head' mark, maker's full name etc. would be gratefully received.

Trev.
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[Juke]

Hi,

The full name of the silversmith is Vasiliy Matveevich Ashmarin. He used four different marks including one other with the 'head'. I have not information of what it indicates but we recently had a mark by Marwak with the same 'head'. Possibly some guild or some other community.

Regards,
Juhana
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[dognose]

Hi Juhana,

Many thanks for the information.

Would you happen to have any other details on Vasiliy Ashmarin, apprenticeship, birth/death dates etc.?

Regards Trev.
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[Juke]

Hi,

He owned a workshop which was working from 1883-1908 and which had 25 workers in the turn of the century. The workshop made tea and other spoons. They also received a bronze medal from an exhibition.

One more comment on the 'head', I have seen a few kinds of marks like these with the silversmiths initials and I think possibly they are not any official marks but maybe promotion marks of the workshops.

Regards,
Juhana
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[dognose]

Hi Juhana,

Thanks again, that's great information.

Regards Trev.
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[Qrt.S]

Better late than ever, :-).

My information differs a bit from Juke’s, (the years); V. M. Ashmarin was an owner of a silverware factory 1883-1917. He owned the whole building at Kologrivsky lane in Moscow. The mentioned bronze medal was rewarded him in the Paris exhibition in 1900. In addition to the mark BMA, he also used the marks: АШМАРИНЪ and Ð’. АШМАРИНЪ
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[dognose]

Hi Qrt.S,

Many thanks for great extra information.

Regards Trev.
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