Help needed

[Postnikov]

I got 2 cigarette cases by the same maker in Trompe l´oeil optic.
Unknown (for me ) assaymaster IE, 1871, St. Petersburg. Master KW
I can not find anything who he could be. Some knowing person speculated about the Wäkeva -family (several smiths of this family worked for Fabergé) but there is very little known - I have a large silvervase by Fabergé, signed WK, but in an other fond than the cigarette cases.





Any help appreciated
Regards
Postnicov
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[Qrt.S]

Hi,
The assayer is Ivan Vonif. Yevstigneev 1870-1891 in StP and the master is Karl (Carl) Werlin 1868-1874.

The master who worked for Fabergé was Stephan Wäkevä also Konstantin Wäkevä did it, but his mark is totally different, no shield.

Cannot find any known master with WK who worked with Fabergé. However, I have a few WKs but the are far to old to fit your WK.
.

[Qrt.S]

DONG! Suddenly it caught my mind that are the initials really WK and not WR? That could be Wilhelm Reimer. He worked with Fabergé. K and R are very similar, and a badly struck W.R ...? Reimer's cartuche is rectangular with lightly rounder corners.

On the other hand, Reimer was mostly a GOLDsmith as well as he made enamel and jewelry too, but very little silver if at all.

Just a tought, but?
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[Postnikov]

HI -
thank you very much for the assay master but for Karl Werlin I have a different puch in a different cigarette case, looking like:



Do you have a foto of the mark KW (lat.) of Karl Werlin in your sources? If yes, can I have a copy?

Here is the Konstantin Wäkeva mark just for comparison:



Thank you very much for your help!
Regards
Postnikov
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[Postnikov]

Hi -
as much as I would like the idea of W. Reimer - all the punches are very clear (2 cases, 4 marks) - there is really no doubt! It is KW!
If it is Karl Werlin I am a little sceptical - until I see a foto or scan of this mark. In my sources Werlin had only one mark, but you learn every day.

Regards
Postnikov
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[Qrt.S]

Your'e a lucky man today. Members of the foreign guild in StP usually used Latin letters. I have earlier stated that Postnikova is good but not perfect. I'm not fully convinced that the shown KB is Werlin, of course could be, but...



What a pity that my DONG! didn't pay back. Well it was anyway a nice try, wasn't it?
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[Qrt.S]

By the way, like to see your mark KB. Is it K.B or K.B. or KB or K·B, or ? There are several alternatives.
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[Postnikov]

HI -
the KB is like my scan above!

Regards
Postnikov
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