Silversmiths who worked for famous companies

[Goldstein]

Hello -
in the last thread one could read that Morozov used silversmiths from outside the company. This habit was rather common - but we know it only from the smiths whose punches were not erased by the customer.
Here are a few:
Gratschev, M. Courtdistributor, Kaviarspoon, maker: Spandikov




Gratschev, M. Courtdistributor, Sugartongs, maker: Olsonius - also a Courtdistributor!



Ovtschinnikov, P. Courtdistributor, Spoon, maker: Semenov




Kurkjukov, O. Courtdistributor, Spoon, maker: Schutenkov



Source

[AG2012]

erased by the customer

Very strange thing to do, I mean to buy new silver and then bother to erase subcontractor’s marks, but never mind.People do stupid things anyway.
Here is almost the same sugar tong,but older.The marks are inside, difficult to take pictures of. Most probably ИС.
Thanks for helping.My reference books are elsewhere.
Have a nice day and kindest regards.

[AG2012]

I see;the retailer supposedly erased the marks, not the customer who bought silver.Still, complicated to understand,I mean the tax due paid? How could a retailer prove the subcontractor paid the tax with the marks erased? And additional effort and expense to erase marks, particularly on gilded silver. It could have been much easier to arrange the issue with the subcontractor or assay offices.

[silverfan]

Hi Goldstein,
is it right, that Spandikow worked for Sazikow too?
Regards silverfan

[Goldstein]

Hi all -
we all think (at least I thought that a certain time) that all the masters sat in their workshops and made piece by piece together with their crew - if there was one. Wrong! It was already the age of pre-industrialization - and to survive on the market you had to cut your costs. Not all could fabricate all. So the intelligent way was to use the help of "specialists" - someone who made day and night sugar tongs could provide better prices than the one who had first to learn the know how. The best example are the Brothers Gratschev: You can find many objects from them, mostly cutlery, sugar tongs, napkinrings etc. - a big market - so they could devote themselves to their main business jewelry and large table silver. What not many know: 1917 they even produced handgranades!! Maybe marked? What a surprise for a collector in WW I.....Even Court supplier Olsonius worked for him.

@AG2012
A ИС mark is always a problem - I do not know sugar tongs from Saltykov or Sazikov. Probably one of the many unknown makers.
Here a photo to see the diversity and the different styles and qualities


@silverfan
I do not know that. If you have informations I would be glad to get them.

Many thanks for the input!
Goldstein

[silverfan]

I got the information from former forum-menber Zolotnik. I cannot give another source.
Regards silverfan