Modern Russian Silver Open Salts

[opensalt]

I'm trying to research modern Russian silver salts for an article for open salt collectors. We have lots of excellent information on the Soviet Era and pre-Soviet Era salts. But there are a few varieties of open salts that are later - some which appear to be from the 1950s which are still made of precious metals. There are much later salts of far lower grade - stamped out white metal with simple enameling, but I'm really trying to get as much information as I can on the in-between salts... the ones that are precious metal but later.

If anyone can help, I will appreciate it. I'm trying to figure out how to upload images. I am new to this site. Many thanks for any assistance!

Here are some examples (I hope!).

http://s1338.beta.photobucket.com/user/ ... 2747142605

[opensalt]

The footed example has the lozenge shaped hallmark with hammer and sickle used after 1958. The other two have a kokoshnik mark - but the more squared off or rectangular version as opposed to the oval one. The marks are small and very difficult to read. I can try to upload photos, if anyone would like to see them.

[dragonflywink]

Hi ~ Please post pictures rather than links to a commercial site - to avoid confusion, each item should be have its own thread. As suggested, embedded images are preferred.

Posting Requirements

How to Add Images

~Cheryl

[Qrt.S]

Use this program to shrink your pictures:

http://pixlr.com/editor/

There should be no problems. If any the problem is behind the keyboard :-))))

[Hephaistos]

Moscow silver slats, engravedd, gilt inside, 875/000 silver, 1950-ies

[Hephaistos]

Riga salts, Soviet republic of Latvia, silver 825/000, gilt inside, various classical greece/roman patterns, 1950-iees

[Hephaistos]

Tallinn salts, from two different producers, 875/000, gilt inside, 1950-ies. The bigger was also made in a luxury version with 916/000 silver finess, corresponding to 88 zolotniki.

Is the signature opensalt only looking for silver salts, or only enamel salts or whatever? For Soviet silver salts there is already some written, for earlier Russian at lot more.

For what magazine is opensalt reseraching? Maybe good to know, to allow all sub-researchers to economize with their limited time.

[Hephaistos]

A triggering example of Soviet silver salt art, which I love to share with the Silverforum participants.



Silver salt spoon from Moscow Jewellery and Watch Factory, 1950-s with the letters (in Latin spelling) V D N CH, an abbreviation for 'Exhibition of Accomplishments of the Peoples Economy'.

[dognose]

Hi Hephaistos,

Many thanks for taking the time to share this information. It's a useful reference and much appreciated.

Trev.

[Hephaistos]

As already replied, of the Pre-Soviet era (there were many of them), it is much more written and avaliable in the litterature. Just to add something, the absolute oppioite to the previous picture of Soviet perversion, a set of saltspoons, silver, gilt, 84, zolotniki, handles depickting the imperial eagle, bowl with cloisonne enamel in 6 colours, Moscow 1909-17.

[Hephaistos]

.... or if just the specific Soviet time is under invstigation..... 3 silver salt spoons, gilt bowl, shovel form, neo-classic (Louis XVI style), Kiev 1950-ies.

[Hephaistos]

...... or, if back to basics, open salt with accompanying spoon, silver, gilt inside, spoon bowl gilt, 875/000 silver. Soviet neo-brutalistic design, extremely compact and heavy, 46 grammes (excl spoon), uncommon and for the nomenclatura only (the general, part-wealthy soviet comerade afforded probably only the tiny Tallinn, masspruduced and weight 15 grammes). Stamped (transcript to Latin letters) R Jo 5, reading Riga Juwellery Plant 1965. Not in original case.

Who is writhing an article on what? Maybe it is already all there, just to copy? Will somebody ask Heiphiastos, and others, to publish another 15 pictures and accompanying text? Maybe opensalt should look for co-authors?

[Hephaistos]

The generosity of Hephaistos, in well-being, alert and always open for wisdom-sharing, further, the feel-good atmosphere of this forum calls for another minor contribution.

Leningrad, as far as known, did not produce saltcellers. Due to the logic of large scale economics and mass production, salt cellars were mainly manufactured in Riga, Tallinn and Moscow. On the other hand, salt spoons were made also in other locations. The absolute most common standard saltspoon was the Leningrad design, thin, light and fitting to the Tallinn light-weight salt cellar. And, it might be so, as partly enamelled, the enamelling was singeled out to be manufactured in Leningrad. The saltspoons were produced under at least 3 decades 50-ies, 60-ies and 70-ies.



Assembly of salt spoons, silver 875/000, gilt, parly cloissonne enamelled on handle, 2, 3 or 4 colours, colour pattern varying over time. Leningrad Juwellery and Watch Factory.

[Zolotnik]

Hi -
as far as I can read and understand, the topic is "Modern Russian Silver Open Salts"and not "Former Contemporary Modern Soviet Silver Open Salts".





Regards
Zolotnik

[Zolotnik]

Hi -
some salt thrones - very popular at that time:





Regards
Zolotnik

[Zolotnik]

Hi -
some enamel salts:
















Regards
Zolotnik

[Hephaistos]

The question asked by opensalt is very imprecise: the concept ”modern” as in “Modernism” could be any historical style back to art-deco or 1890-ies, “Russian” as geographical identity often includes the Soviet era. Further, opensalt is talking of “pre-Soviet era” as well as “Soviet era”. Is maybe opensalt talking of post-soviet era? We do not know, the request for research contribution is very vague.

Opensalt: QOUTE “But there are a few varieties of open salts that are later - some which appear to be from the 1950s which are still made of precious metals. There are much later salts of far lower grade - stamped out white metal with simple enameling, but I'm really trying to get as much information as I can on the in-between salts... the ones that are precious metal but later.”UNQUOTE

If opensalt is looking for Contemporary Russian open silver salts, why not tell us that? In-between what? And why show us, as an absolute misleading example, saltcellers of 100 and 50 years age? Confusing.

Zolotnik, as always, is showing us illustrative examples of interest, real Russian antique silver art. That is really something to still elaborate on, and produce articles. But, why, if absolute uninteresting to opensalt? And why two closed salts (salt thrones with lid)? Maybe for the enjoyment of all of us, except opensalt?

Below, an open salt throne, filigree with glass bowl, silver gilt, Soviet response to the old salt chair tradition. Mass-produced.

[Zolotnik]

Hi -
some ugly soviet niello....





Regards
Zolotnik

[Hephaistos]

….. and as Zolotnik has shown us also such important set of antique enamelled open salt cellars, and some salt thrones, far from any Jeltsin post-modernism in silver art, let us go to the jewel of the crown in such an combination, a big salt throne, far from modern, Moscow 1888, 88 zolotniki. Full cloissonne and plique-a-jour (in centre of back) enamelling. An example of the upraise of Russian traditional and peasant symbols in silver art, depicting the gable of a Russian cottage (izba) crowned with two mythological figures, crowned eagles. A closed salt cellar, hiding secrets, history and content




Where is opensalt to guide us what this is all about? A showroom of what never was asked for?

[oel]

‘Opensalt’ keeps silence, we enjoy the show. Thanks.

Oel.