help

[pininy]

]i tried to find who is the maker of th niello silver and ivory box but i failed please help me
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv20 ... 790599.jpg"
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv20 ... 790586.jpg
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv20 ... 790611.jpg

[Qrt.S]

Mind my saying but this case looks a bit "confusing" in my eyes. It seems to be creation made from parts of two different cases, or? Are the shown marks all marks on the case or are there more marks? You should have the hallmark and the maker's mark on the other half too. The mark БЗИГ is probably a later Soviet mark, which I cannot place for the moment. Nonetheless, the ВЮ is a maker's mark belonging to a to name unknown master in Moscow around 1908. However, I might be wrong. Let's wait for other opinions...

[AG2012]

Qrt.S is right; the case is most likely assembled of two different parts. Take a closer look at the hinge; this is where ``the maker`` failed — it was impossible to fit them properly. Besides, this combination is very, very suspicious; niello and cloisonné. And the marks,too — as pointed out by Qrt.S What is carved in the middle of the cloisonné part? Very unusual.How is it fixed? In a word - assembled.Most likely.

[Dad]

Hi.

БЗИГ - it's maker's mark after 2001.
"Б" - 2002.
"З" - Прикаспийская пробирная инспекция (Prikaspiiskii assay office) where are Republic of Dagestan.
Maker (ИГ) is from Kubachi - center of silver works and niello silver.

Thus the niello half of cigaret case is modern product from Kubachi. There can be a repair, compilation.