Niello Spoon

[piette]

Hi,
Recently aquired this niello spoon.
I am a little bit suspicious of the Kokoshnik mark... to me it just doesn't seem quite right.
I have identified the marks:
Maker: D. P. Nikitin
Town: Moscow
Assayer: Ivan Lebedkin
I am just a little suspicious as to wether or not the spoon is genine...
The pictures are very large, so I have provided links to them instead of embedding them into the forum itself.
http://curioushouse.co.uk/russiansilvercollection/niello.JPG
http://curioushouse.co.uk/russiansilvercollection/niello1.JPG
http://curioushouse.co.uk/russiansilvercollection/niello2.JPG
http://curioushouse.co.uk/russiansilvercollection/niello3.JPG

I have a feeling this item is probably a fake - if it is, I do not see it as a loss - just a lesson :-)

Regards,
Piette

[Postnikov]

Hi piette -

the spoon is OK, it is "real" niello, the marks fit and are as thex should be.
Congratulation!

Regards
Postnikov

[piette]

Hi Postnikov,
Thank you :-) It is nice to know I have another genuine item in my small collection. I am now the proud owner of three genuine Russian silver items :-)!
Regards,
Piette