Russian patterns

[rat-tail]

Hi - A strange question, but is Russian known to have produced any flatware in the fiddle and thread pattern. - thanks Frank

[paulh]

Hello Frank,

Fiddle & Thread was made by Russian Silversmiths. This is some from a recent London auction catalogue.

"Russian Silver. A large part canteen of Fiddle and Thread pattern, mainly by Boianowski, circa 1849, weighable silver approx. wt. 129 oz., another part canteen, mainly by A.B. c. 1855, weighable silver approx. 70 oz., together with other pieces. Total weighable silver approx. 205 0z."

[rat-tail]

Hi Paul - many thanks. By the way, that's quite some part canteen. I ask because I saw some silver forks purporting to be Russian at auction the other day and something worried me about them. Looked very French and the marks were quite rubbed but were probably Russian. It's great to know - we see very little Russian silver out here in the colonies, only ever stumbled across the conventional fiddle type in that distinctive Russian style of course. Regards Frank

[paulh]

Hello Frank,

Just be careful with those spoons. French plated pieces are often mistaken for Russian silver, because they are often stamped “84" This is an indication of the plating quality and is often confused with the 84 zlotnik mark on Russian silver. The position of the mark is important, as are the other marks on the piece. Russian spoons will usually be marked on the back, in a similar position to a British hallmark. French spoons usually have marks in the bowl.

Paul

[rat-tail]

Thanks Paul - and you've answered another question. These strangely had their marks on the front of the stem. Didn't buy them on the premise that if an alarm bell is ringing, there's a reason for it. Was just curious. I actually have an english fiddle and thread spoon with marks on the front, but this was repaired the wrong way round. Fiddle threat and shell is actually the pattern i am looking for, but silver is like hens teeth so most of my canteen is Hutton & Sons or Christofle plate - have various pieces of silver fiddle and thread for serving pieces or to make up the numbers. And that early Christofle plate was often so good it still looks like silver today, hence possibly the confusion. Appreciate it - Frank