Russian Enamel Egg need help with marks please

[thursday445]

I believe this is Russia 1908-1917 according to your listed marks, and apparently gilt wash over sterling. Does anyone know the town or makers mark on this? Many thanks for your time and assistance.


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[Juke]

It is made is Moscow during the period you mentioned. Sorry the maker is unknown to me.

Regards,
Juhana
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[thursday445]

Thank you so much for you help! It is a difficult mark to identify.
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[dragonflywink]

Oh my, please forgive me, but just don't believe your piece is of the quality that would be expected in antique Russian silver. I've seen this same egg (Mom collects swans), countless times on the West Coast based internet auction site, with different bases and many different faked marks, including Faberge. There is a huge number of Russian silver forgeries on the market right now.

~Cheryl
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[thursday445]

Thank you for that information. (admin edit) How can one tell the fake ones from the real ones?
Sandra
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[Juke]

I was also wondering the same thing. The delta on the left of the head seems too big, the style of the numbers and letters seem quite modern compared with the ones from the period. Has to be said there were different styles of numbers and letters also in the period but maybe these seems too modern. So it could possibly be that the egg is not from the period but later made. Possibly made during the Sovjet Union time when similar objects were made.

Also the gold wash seems very thin probably imitating that it has been worn but it don't look right.

For safe side I didn't want to say immidiately that it is not from the period as it could have been made by a smaller worker with not the best quality but also the style/quality of the enamel and the figures seems later.

Regards,
Juhana
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[thursday445]

Thank you for your information on this piece, however, I find that the gold wash is actually quite thick and rich inside this piece. I did have to alter the coloring on the marks photo for it to show up clearing for posting, so I had lightened it quite a bit for clarity. The gold wash inside is in good shape. The legs on the piece are nicely detailed with hair and cleft hooves. There is a small detailed banding on both the top and bottom where the pieces meet. Also the hand painting is nicely done on the swans and flowers.............it would seem to me that alot of detailing would be absent on later copies. Also there is a thin crackle on some of the upper portions.......on the swan, etc........where it is not apparent on the underside, which would not have been handled. Your opinion?
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[dragonflywink]

The first time I saw questionable Russian pieces was at an upscale antique show in the late '80s. A dealer there had dozens of pieces of "Faberge", the iron curtain was lifting, there had been some books on Faberge released recently, and apparently I was not the only person who felt that the quality seemed a bit off, none of the items were displayed on the second day.

In addition to collecting silver, I also collect eggs, so these catch my attention, please understand that I have seen this same egg with various makers marks, virtually identical design, varying only in the colors of the enamel work. There are at least 3 different swan designs, often with unusual colors and if stones are present, the cabochons are simply glued on rather than set with a bezel as would be expected on an antique. Most of the pieces bear the second Moscow kokoshnik mark (1908-17) with the 84 fineness. There are several different egg designs and the more recent pieces seem to have an imperial eagle mark added. There is still a lot of fairly nice enamel coming out Russia, just check out the variety of egg pendants available. Your egg is pretty and certainly has some value, but personally, just don't believe that it dates any earlier than late 20th century.

~Cheryl
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